citadel

noun

cit·​a·​del ˈsi-tə-dᵊl How to pronounce citadel (audio)
-ˌdel
Synonyms 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

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
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
One of the oldest citadels in the Middle East, Jerash has seen an unbroken chain of human occupation since the Bronze Age. Hanna Wickes, Charlotte Observer, 3 June 2026 Paton, 52, was in Peru with his wife to hike the Inca Trail, a popular route that ends at Machu Picchu, a citadel built by the Incas in the 15th century. Sam Peters, CNN Money, 22 May 2026 In 1928, the original owners took over a hotel that was mere feet across one of the narrow cobblestone streets that make up the citadel and added 48, keeping the neo-Gothic style, including pretty leaded windows. Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 28 Apr. 2026 The new vow to speed the globe’s flora and fauna to a second-world citadel represented a remarkable philanthropic expansion of Musk’s overarching Mars missions. Kevin Holden Platt, Forbes.com, 28 Apr. 2026 See All Example Sentences for citadel

Word History

Etymology

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

First Known Use

1542, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of citadel was in 1542

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Citadel.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/citadel. Accessed 3 Jul. 2026.

Kids Definition

citadel

noun
cit·​a·​del ˈsit-əd-ᵊl How to pronounce citadel (audio)
-ə-ˌdel
1
: a fortress that sits high above a city
2
: a strong fortress

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