bastion
/ˈbæstiən/ (bre, ipa) · /ˈbæstʃən/ (ame, ipa) · /ˈbas-chən/ (ame, mw)
bastion — noun
- bastionsingular
- bastionsplural
1. an organization, tradition, or system that firmly protects a particular principl
an organization, tradition, or system that firmly protects a particular principle, way of life, or set of values from being weakened or lost
For many residents, the local library is the last bastion of free access to information.
last bastion of
The farm has become a bastion of traditional farming methods that have almost disappeared.
Ananya believes the small newspaper is a bastion of honest journalism in a world full of clickbait.
This university was once a bastion of conservative political thought.
- stronghold
also has both literal and figurative uses; 'bastion' emphasizes protection of an idea, while 'stronghold' emphasizes the place where that idea survives
- bulwark
more formal and literary; suggests active defense against a threat
- fortress
more concrete; in figurative use, 'fortress' suggests something that keeps threats out rather than protecting something inside
- threat
the opposing force that endangers the principle or way of life
文法句型
bastion + of + noun phrase
用法筆記
Often used with 'last' to highlight the final remaining stronghold of a belief or practice that is in decline.
常見錯誤
2. a part of a castle or fort wall that projects outward, built so that guards can
a part of a castle or fort wall that projects outward, built so that guards can see and defend the area along the wall's sides
Guards standing on the bastion could fire at enemies approaching the castle walls.
on the bastion
The castle's eastern bastion was rebuilt in the fifteenth century with much thicker stone.
From the top of the bastion, the soldiers had a clear view of the whole valley below.
The fortress has four bastions, one at each corner of the outer wall.
- bulwark
a broader term for any defensive wall or earthwork
- rampart
the main defensive wall surrounding a fort, not a projecting part
- fortification
a general term for any structure built to defend a place
用法筆記
This is a technical architectural term. In everyday conversation, most English speakers would say 'castle wall' or 'tower' instead.
3. a fortified military position or area that has been prepared for defense and is
a fortified military position or area that has been prepared for defense and is actively held against enemy attack
The army turned the hilltop village into a bastion, digging trenches all around it.
Enemy forces surrounded the bastion and cut off every supply route.
The soldiers held the bastion for two weeks before reinforcements arrived.
Military planners identified the port city as a key bastion that had to be captured.
- stronghold
more common in modern usage; less technical
- citadel
usually refers to a fortress guarding a city, often on high ground
- fortress
a large permanent fortification, not just a temporary position
用法筆記
In modern English, this sense is mostly found in historical or military writing. For current conflicts, words like 'stronghold' or 'fortified position' are more common.