If you say that a place or region is a strongholdof a particular attitude or belief, you mean that most people there share this attitude or belief.
The western-most part of north Wales is a stronghold of Welsh-speakers.
The seat was a stronghold of the Labour party.
Synonyms: bastion, fortress, bulwark, fastness More Synonyms of stronghold
2. countable noun [with poss]
If you say that a place is a stronghold of a particular type of animal, you mean that more of that type of animal live there than in other places.
Shetland is the last stronghold of otters in the British Isles.
Synonyms: refuge, haven, retreat, sanctuary More Synonyms of stronghold
stronghold in British English
(ˈstrɒŋˌhəʊld)
noun
1.
a defensible place; fortress
2.
a major centre or area of predominance
Word origin
C15: from strong + hold1 (in the archaic sense: a fortified place)
stronghold in American English
(ˈstrɔŋˌhoʊld)
noun
1.
a place having strong defenses; fortified place
2.
a place where a group having certain views, attitudes, etc. is concentrated
Examples of 'stronghold' in a sentence
stronghold
They are also trying to draw our attention away from their strongholds in the north.
Times, Sunday Times (2008)
An alliance of rebel groups has been steadily advancing towards the capital from strongholds in the north.
Times, Sunday Times (2012)
The area is a stronghold of dissident republicans.
Times, Sunday Times (2009)
Raqqa is the Isis stronghold in the north of the country.
Times, Sunday Times (2015)
The five of them forge an unlikely alliance, and head north through a vicious winter to find the last stronghold of the rebellion.
Times, Sunday Times (2016)
Aleppo is the only urban centre still held by mainstream rebel forces, and is their last stronghold in the north of the country.
Times, Sunday Times (2016)
In Damascus, troops backed by fighter jets attacked the last rebel stronghold in the capital.
The Sun (2012)
Manual labourers have, for so long, been a stronghold for the party.
Times, Sunday Times (2015)
Those areas considered opposition strongholds - mostly in the west and south - are having food aid withheld.
Times, Sunday Times (2008)
Britain's former naval strongholds are a great source of this kind of quality property, as homes were built inside the historic docks for senior staff.
Times, Sunday Times (2013)
In other languages
stronghold
British English: stronghold NOUN
If you say that a place or region is a stronghold of a particular attitude or belief, you mean that most people there share this attitude or belief.