citadel

noun
cit·​a·​del | \ ˈsi-tə-dᵊl How to pronounce citadel (audio) , -ˌdel\

Definition of citadel

1 : a fortress that commands (see command entry 1 sense 2c) a city
2 : stronghold the nation's citadel of health research— Constance Holden a citadel of higher education

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Examples of citadel in a Sentence

We visited a medieval citadel in Italy. a massive stone citadel continues to command the city of Halifax, Nova Scotia

Recent Examples on the Web

Master and protégé had a natural affinity as Jewish Midwesterners in a citadel of high English culture, Ellmann from Michigan, Atlas a Chicagoan. Judith Thurman, The New Yorker, "James Atlas’s Life in Life-Writing," 9 Sep. 2019 For all the diversity of its 13 miles, from financial citadels far downtown to bodegas way uptown, Broadway will always mean the theater to many people — the Great White Way. Clyde Haberman, New York Times, "America’s Most Famous Street," 30 Apr. 2018 Pondering its stark exterior, observers might guess that the modernist Norwegian citadel photographed by Dornith Doherty is some sort of prison. Mark Jenkins, Washington Post, "In the galleries: ‘Archiving Eden’ exhibition sprouts interest with macro photos," 5 July 2019 The citadel remained the seat of Egypt’s government until the 1860s. Klara Glowczewska, Town & Country, "Can Egypt Convince the World That It Is Starting Over?," 19 Mar. 2019 Philip, too, could seem a beguiling but remote citadel: august, many-towered, lavishly defended. Benjamin Taylor, Harper's magazine, "Exit Ghost," 10 Mar. 2019 The only people who do know Jon's true parentage are Bran Stark (thanks to his greensight as the Three-Eyed Raven) and Samwell Tarly (thanks to his research in the citadel). Erica Gonzales, Harper's BAZAAR, "Jon Snow Learns His True Identity in Game of Thrones the Season 8 Premiere," 15 Apr. 2019 Explore the others, starting with Mission San José, a breathtaking stone citadel that still holds Catholic Mass on weekends. Mike Sutter, WSJ, "The Best Under-the-Radar Food Destination in the U.S.," 19 Oct. 2018 Explore UNESCO World Heritage–listed Old Québec, brush up on your military history at the citadel atop Cap Diamant, and head to the Quartier Petit-Champlain for pedestrian-only streets and artisan boutiques. Condé Nast Traveler, "The Best Cities in the World: 2018 Readers' Choice Awards," 9 Oct. 2018

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'citadel.' 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 citadel

1542, in the meaning defined at sense 1

History and Etymology for citadel

Middle French citadelle, from Old Italian cittadella, diminutive of cittade city, from Medieval Latin civitat-, civitas — more at city

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More Definitions for citadel

citadel

noun

English Language Learners Definition of citadel

: a castle or fort that in past times was used to protect the people of a city if the city was attacked

citadel

noun
cit·​a·​del | \ ˈsi-tə-dᵊl How to pronounce citadel (audio) , -ˌdel\

Kids Definition of citadel

: a fortress that sits high above a city

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