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Definition of fortaleza
fortaleza
/ˌfɔːrtəˈleɪzə/
for · ta · le · za
Plural:fortalezas
fortaleza Lexical Profile
CEFR
C1
Grade
9
Tier
3
Usage
Rare
• noun
1
A major coastal city in northeastern Brazil, serving as the capital of the state of Ceará, renowned for its beaches and as a significant commercial and cultural hub.
Example
"During our trip to South America, we spent three days enjoying the vibrant culture and beautiful coastline of Fortaleza."
2
A fortress, stronghold, or fortification, particularly one of historical Spanish or Portuguese origin.
Example
"The colonial era left behind more than one imposing fortaleza along the Caribbean coast to guard against pirate attacks."
Synonyms
View all synonyms for fortaleza• Rhymes for fortaleza
Word Origin & Etymology
Borrowed from Portuguese and Spanish 'fortaleza', meaning 'fortress' or 'strength', ultimately derived from Latin 'fortis' (strong).
Usage Trend
Historical frequency of usage in published text.
180019102020
Data source: Google Books Ngram Viewer
Cite this Entry
Wordmom. (2026). Definition of Fortaleza. In Wordmom Dictionary. Retrieved Oct 15, 2026, from https://wordmom.com/dictionary/fortaleza