1. A fortified place or position stationed with troops.
2. A permanent army post.

[Middle English, strength, stronghold, from Old French, strong, strength, from Latin fortis.]

The American Heritage® Dictionary of the English Language, Fourth Edition Copyright © 2007, 2000 by Houghton Mifflin Company. Updated in 2009. Published by Houghton Mifflin Company. All rights reserved.