French Conversation · Level 91
60 words
French word
bastion
Pronunciation
IPA/bastjɔ̃/
Meaning
- masculine nounfortress
Example
Il y a un bastion sur la colline.
There is a fortress on the hill.
More examples
La région est un bastion politique depuis des décennies.
The region has been a political stronghold for decades.
Core concept
A fortified projection that gives defenders a protected point of support, later suggesting a place where a group or belief remains strong.
Common phrases
un bastion politique
a political stronghold
un bastion de la tradition
a stronghold of tradition
Similar words
mur: A vertical structure built to enclose a building or area.
fort: A relatively strong structure built to house or defend troops.
Definition in French
Partie saillante d'une fortification servant de point d'appui défensif, et par métaphore, lieu protégeant une idée ou un groupe.
Word origin
The French noun comes from Italian bastione and retained the sense of a projecting part built for defense.
Usage tips
- The figurative pattern un bastion de followed by a noun describes a stronghold for a group, movement, or idea.
Other meanings
- fortnoun
- strongholdnoun
Opposites
- faiblesseweaknessnoun