stronghold
noun
strong·hold
ˈstrȯŋ-ˌhōld 
1
: a fortified place
2
a
: a place of security or survival
… one of the last strongholds of the ancient Gaelic language …—
George Holmes
George Holmes
b
: a place dominated by a particular group or marked by a particular characteristic
a Republican/Democratic stronghold
strongholds of snobbery—Lionel Trilling
Lionel TrillingExamples of stronghold in a Sentence
The area is a Republican stronghold.
The rebels retreated to their mountain stronghold.
the last stronghold of the endangered deer
Recent Examples on the Web
But a new map adopted under Proposition 50 dramatically changed the political calculus, turning what had been a GOP stronghold into a district that now slightly favors Democrats.
—Los Angeles Times, 1 May 2026
Some analysts believe the CJNG's presence extends to 25 states, with a stronghold in Jalisco.
—CBS News, 28 Apr. 2026
Coordinating aerial drones with unmanned ground vehicles, the unit captured the stronghold without putting a single human foot on the ground during the initial assault.
—Mrigakshi Dixit, Interesting Engineering, 27 Apr. 2026
The map would create more GOP-friendly districts not only by condensing Democratic voters but also by making some Republican strongholds less sturdy in a year when Republicans are expected to take a hit on the November ballot.
—Alexandra Glorioso, Miami Herald, 27 Apr. 2026
See All Example Sentences for stronghold
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Los Angeles Times, 1 May 2026
Some analysts believe the CJNG's presence extends to 25 states, with a stronghold in Jalisco.
—CBS News, 28 Apr. 2026
Coordinating aerial drones with unmanned ground vehicles, the unit captured the stronghold without putting a single human foot on the ground during the initial assault.
—Mrigakshi Dixit, Interesting Engineering, 27 Apr. 2026
The map would create more GOP-friendly districts not only by condensing Democratic voters but also by making some Republican strongholds less sturdy in a year when Republicans are expected to take a hit on the November ballot.
—Alexandra Glorioso, Miami Herald, 27 Apr. 2026
See All Example Sentences for stronghold
Cite this Entry
“Stronghold.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/stronghold. Accessed 5 May. 2026.
Copy CitationKids Definition
stronghold
noun
strong·hold
ˈstrȯŋ-ˌhōld
: fortress
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