Castle: meaning, definitions and examples

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castle

[ˈkæsəl ]

Definitions

^{Context #1 | Noun}

medieval architecture

A large building or group of buildings fortified against attack with thick walls, battlements, towers, and in many cases a moat.

Synonyms

citadel, fortress, stronghold.

Which Synonym Should You Choose?

Word	Description / Examples
castle	A large building or group of buildings fortified against attack with thick walls, battlements, towers, and often a moat. Most commonly associated with medieval Europe and royalty. The ancient castle stood atop the hill, overlooking the village below They visited a famous castle in Scotland during their vacation
fortress	A military stronghold designed for defense, usually larger than a castle. It has extensive fortifications and is used to guard a strategic location. The fortress was built to guard the valley from invaders The army prepared to defend the fortress against the advancing enemy
citadel	A strong central fortress, often located within a city, that serves as a place of refuge or defense. It is typically used in historical contexts or to describe a high, commanding place offering protection. The citizens fled to the citadel when the city was under siege The ancient citadel still stands as a symbol of the city's strength
stronghold	A place that has been fortified to protect against attack. It can be used in both a literal and metaphorical sense to describe a well-defended or dominant position. The rebels retreated to their mountain stronghold The old mansion had become a stronghold of artistic expression in the community

Examples of usage

The castle was surrounded by a deep moat.
The king resided in the grand castle overlooking the village.

^{Context #2 | Verb}

chess

To move the king two squares toward a rook and, in the same move, move the rook to the square next past the king.

Synonyms

castle kingside, castle queenside.

Which Synonym Should You Choose?

Word	Description / Examples
castle	Generally used to refer to a large building or group of buildings fortified against attack, with thick walls, battlements, towers, and often a moat. Can also refer to the chess move where the king and rook move simultaneously. During our trip to Europe, we visited a medieval castle In the chess game, he decided to castle early to protect his king
castle kingside	In chess, this term specifically refers to castling on the side of the board where the king originally starts, which involves moving the king two squares towards the rook on its original square, then placing the rook on the square the king crossed. In his next move, he performed a castle kingside to secure his king's safety She often prefers to castle kingside for quicker king safety
castle queenside	In chess, this term specifically refers to castling on the side of the board where the queen originally starts, which involves moving the king two squares towards the rook on that side and placing the rook on the square the king crossed. He decided to castle queenside, hoping for a more aggressive position In her strategy, she often opts to castle queenside to balance her pieces

Word

Description / Examples

castle

Generally used to refer to a large building or group of buildings fortified against attack, with thick walls, battlements, towers, and often a moat. Can also refer to the chess move where the king and rook move simultaneously.

During our trip to Europe, we visited a medieval castle
In the chess game, he decided to castle early to protect his king

castle kingside

In chess, this term specifically refers to castling on the side of the board where the king originally starts, which involves moving the king two squares towards the rook on its original square, then placing the rook on the square the king crossed.

In his next move, he performed a castle kingside to secure his king's safety
She often prefers to castle kingside for quicker king safety

castle queenside

In chess, this term specifically refers to castling on the side of the board where the queen originally starts, which involves moving the king two squares towards the rook on that side and placing the rook on the square the king crossed.

He decided to castle queenside, hoping for a more aggressive position
In her strategy, she often opts to castle queenside to balance her pieces

Examples of usage

He castled early in the game to protect his king.
Castling is an important strategic move in chess.

Interesting Facts

Historical Origins

The word 'castle' comes from the Latin 'castellum,' meaning a fortified place.
Castles became popular in Europe during the Middle Ages, primarily between the 9th and 15th centuries.
Originally built for defense during battles, many castles later served as homes for nobles.

Architecture

Castles often feature high walls, moats, and drawbridges as protective features.
The shape and design of a castle can reflect the power of its owner, with some being quite lavish and intricate.
Some castles are built on hills or cliffs to provide a strategic advantage against attackers.

Cultural Significance

In stories and fairy tales, castles are often seen as magical places where adventures happen.
Castles have been used in films and television to depict royalty, enchanting stories, and epic battles.
Many castles are tourist attractions today, showcasing medieval history and architecture.

Geography

European countries like France, Germany, and England boast some of the most famous castles in the world.
The greatest concentration of castles can be found in Germany, where it's estimated there are over 20,000.
Scotland's castles are particularly famous for their dramatic ruins and ties to local legends.

Modern Day

Many castles today serve as museums or event venues, hosting weddings and festivals.
Some castles are still inhabited by descendants of their original builders, maintaining their historical significance.
The concept of castles has influenced themes in gaming and virtual worlds, where players build and defend their own.

Translations

Translations of the word "castle" in other languages:

🇵🇹 castelo

🇮🇳 किला

🇩🇪 Schloss

🇮🇩 kastil

🇺🇦 замок

🇵🇱 zamek

🇯🇵 城 (しろ)

🇫🇷 château

🇪🇸 castillo

🇹🇷 kale

🇰🇷 성

🇸🇦 قلعة

🇨🇿 hrad

🇸🇰 hrad

🇨🇳 城堡 (chéngbǎo)

🇸🇮 grad

🇮🇸 kastali

🇰🇿 қамал

🇬🇪 ციხე

🇦🇿 qala

🇲🇽 castillo

Word Frequency Rank

With rank #4,845, this word represents useful upper-intermediate vocabulary. Understanding and using it will help you express more complex ideas effectively.

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4842 accord
4843 conform
4844 composite
4845 castle
4846 costly
4847 amplitude
4848 survived
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