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Fortification vs Fortress - What's the difference?

fortification | fortress |

As nouns the difference between fortification and fortress

is that fortification is the act of fortifying; the art or science of fortifying places to strengthen defence against an enemy while fortress is a fortified place; a large and permanent fortification, sometimes including a town; a fort; a castle; a stronghold; a place of defense or security.

As a verb fortress is

to furnish with a fortress or with fortresses; to guard; to fortify.

fortification

Noun

(en noun)
  • The act of fortifying; the art or science of fortifying places to strengthen defence against an enemy.
  • That which fortifies; especially, a work or works erected to defend a place against attack; a fortified place; a fortress; a fort; a castle.
  • *
  • *:“[…] We are engaged in a great work, a treatise on our river fortifications , perhaps? But since when did army officers afford the luxury of amanuenses in this simple republic?”
  • An increase in effectiveness, as by adding ingredients.
  • * 1979 , Kiplinger's Personal Finance (volume 33, number 7, July 1979, page 47)
  • Compare the nutrition information label of a regular ready-to-eat fortified cereal with that of a presweetened brand and you'll note that, although the sweetened one's sugar content is higher, the fortification is virtually identical.

    fortress

    English

    Noun

    (wikipedia fortress) (es)
  • A fortified place; a large and permanent fortification, sometimes including a town; a fort; a castle; a stronghold; a place of defense or security.
  • (chess) A position that, if obtained by the weaker side, will prevent penetration by the opposing side, generally achieving a draw.
  • See also

    * fortalice, fortilice

    Verb

  • To furnish with a fortress or with fortresses; to guard; to fortify.