VocabDictionary

castle

/ˈkɑː.səl/beginner Level

English Meaning & Definitions

1.noun

A large fortified building or set of buildings, typically of medieval origin, with thick walls, battlements, towers, and often a moat.

Example Sentences:
  • The ancient stone castle stood majestically on the hill overlooking the river.
  • Tourists from all over the world come to explore the royal castle.
2.noun

A piece in the game of chess, also known as a rook, that can move horizontally or vertically across any unoccupied number of squares.

Example Sentences:
  • He moved his castle to protect the king from the impending attack.
  • Capturing the opponent's pawn with her castle turned the tide of the game.
3.verb

To make a special move in chess involving the king and either of the original rooks of the same color.

Example Sentences:
  • She decided to castle early in the game to ensure the safety of her king.
  • If the king has already moved, you are no longer allowed to castle.
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English Synonyms & Near Equivalents

English Antonyms & Opposites

Comprehensive Thesaurus Breakdown

Compare formal, informal, literary synonyms and register nuances for “castle”.

Thesaurus Entry
Cultural Origin & Etymology

Derived from the Late Latin 'castellum', a diminutive of 'castrum' meaning 'fort' or 'camp'. It entered the English language via Old Northern French 'castel' in the late Old English period. The word originally referred to a fortified residence or military stronghold of a nobleman.

Memory Aid & Mnemonic

A castle is a grand 'cat's' 'scale' for royalty to look down upon their kingdom.

Frequently Asked Questions About “castle

1. What is the meaning of “castle” in English?

In English, castle (noun) is defined as: “A large fortified building or set of buildings, typically of medieval origin, with thick walls, battlements, towers, and often a moat.”.

2. How do you use “castle” in a sentence?

The ancient stone castle stood majestically on the hill overlooking the river.

3. What are English synonyms of “castle”?

Common synonyms include:fortress,citadel,stronghold,château,palace

4. What is the etymology and word origin of “castle”?

Derived from the Late Latin 'castellum', a diminutive of 'castrum' meaning 'fort' or 'camp'. It entered the English language via Old Northern French 'castel' in the late Old English period. The word originally referred to a fortified residence or military stronghold of a nobleman.