Bastion Meaning: Definition, Examples, and Translations
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bastion
bas-tion
Definitions
fortress defense
A bastion is a projecting part of a fortification built at an angle to the line of a wall, so as to allow defensive fire in several directions.
Synonyms
bulwark, fortification, stronghold.
Examples of usage
- The soldiers used the bastion to defend the fortress from enemy attacks.
- The bastion provided a strategic advantage in the defense of the city.
figurative
A bastion can also refer to a person, place, or thing seen as upholding or defending an attitude, principle, or institution.
Synonyms
champion, defender, supporter.
Examples of usage
- She was a bastion of strength during the difficult times.
- The organization was regarded as a bastion of tradition.
Translations
To see the translation, please select a language from the options available.
Quick facts about “bastion”
Bastion is a 2-syllable noun (bas-tion). It is pronounced /ˈbæstʃən/ in American English and /bˈæstiən/ in British English. On finesentence.com it has 2 meanings, 6 synonyms, and translations into 21 languages. It ranks #20,707 among the most common English words.
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“bastion” in historical significance
- Bastions were crucial in the design of Renaissance military architecture, helping defend against cannon attacks.
- Famous bastions, like those of the Citadel of Quebec, played critical roles in colonial warfare across North America.
- The use of bastions in fortifications decreased with the advent of modern artillery in the 19th century.
“bastion” in literature
- In literature, bastions often symbolize strength and security, representing characters or ideas that offer protection.
- Several works reference bastions as metaphors for emotional or ideological strongholds.
“bastion” in cultural references
- In many cultures, bastions are not just physical structures; they symbolize the preservation of tradition and values.
- The term is used in political discourse to describe institutions or groups that defend specific ideologies.
“bastion” in modern usage
- In today’s language, 'bastion' can refer to places or people that uphold values, such as a bastion of freedom or democracy.
- The word is often used in technology contexts, describing secure systems that protect data from threats.
Origin of 'bastion'
Main points about word origin
- Derived from the French word 'bastion', which originally meant a projecting part of a fort.
- It can be traced back to the Italian word 'bastire', meaning 'to build'.
- The term began to be used in English in the late 15th century to refer to fortified structures.
The word 'bastion' originated from the Italian word 'bastione', which means a fortified outpost or tower. It was first used in the 16th century to describe a projecting part of a fortification. Over time, the term has taken on a metaphorical meaning to represent a stronghold or defender of a principle. The concept of bastions in fortifications has been crucial throughout history in protecting cities and territories.