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castle

noun
cas·​tle | \ ˈka-səl How to pronounce castle (audio) \

Definition of castle

 (Entry 1 of 2)

1a : a large fortified building or set of buildings
b : a massive or imposing house
2 : a retreat safe against intrusion or invasion
3 : rook entry 3

castle

verb
castled; castling\ ˈka-​s(ə-​)liŋ How to pronounce castling (audio) \

Definition of castle (Entry 2 of 2)

transitive verb

1 : to establish in a castle
2 : to move (the chess king) in castling

intransitive verb

: to move a chess king two squares toward a rook and in the same move the rook to the square next past the king

Illustration of castle

Illustration of castle

Noun

castle 1a: 1 fortified approach, 2 moat, 3 drawbridge, 4 ward, 5 angle tower, 6 donjon or keep, 7 chapel, 8 gallery

In the meaning defined above

Synonyms Example Sentences Learn More about castle

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Examples of castle in a Sentence

Noun

 Millionaires built their castles along the lake. the implacable attackers placed the castle under a prolonged siege

Recent Examples on the Web: Noun

 Once back home, Booth purchased the town’s former fire station, its crumbling Norman castle and several warehouses and, in the 1960s, started to fill them with second-hand books. — Brigit Katz, Smithsonian, "The Man Who Transformed a Welsh Town Into a ‘Kingdom’ of Used Books," 29 Aug. 2019 The expansive Scottish property has been in the royal family since 1845, when Queen Victoria’s husband, Prince Albert, purchased the castle and the surrounding 7,000 acre estate. — Erin Hill, PEOPLE.com, "Prince William Sent This Photo of Himself (and a Message!) to Fans Who Wished Him Happy Birthday," 27 Aug. 2019

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'castle.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

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First Known Use of castle

Noun

before the 12th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Verb

1587, in the meaning defined at transitive sense 1

History and Etymology for castle

Noun

Middle English castel, from Old English, from Old French & Latin; Old French dialect (Norman-Picard) castel, from Latin castellum fortress, diminutive of castrum fortified place; perhaps akin to Latin castrare to castrate

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More Definitions for castle

castle

noun
How to pronounce castle (audio)

English Language Learners Definition of castle

: a large building usually with high, thick walls and towers that was built in the past to protect against attack
informal : a large expensive house
: a piece in the game of chess that looks like a castle tower

See the full definition for castle in the English Language Learners Dictionary

castle

noun
cas·​tle | \ ˈka-səl How to pronounce castle (audio) \

Kids Definition of castle

1 : a large building or group of buildings usually having high walls with towers that was built in the past to protect against attack
2 : a large or impressive house

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More from Merriam-Webster on castle

Rhyming Dictionary: Words that rhyme with castle

Thesaurus: All synonyms and antonyms for castle

Spanish Central: Translation of castle

Nglish: Translation of castle for Spanish Speakers

Britannica English: Translation of castle for Arabic Speakers

Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about castle

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