castle

1 of 2

noun

cas·​tle ˈka-səl How to pronounce castle (audio)
Synonyms of castle
1
a
: a large fortified building or set of buildings
b
: a massive or imposing house
2
: a retreat safe against intrusion or invasion
3
: rook entry 3

Illustration of castle

Illustration of castle
  • 1 fortified approach
  • 2 moat
  • 3 drawbridge
  • 4 ward
  • 5 angle tower
  • 6 donjon or keep
  • 7 chapel
  • 8 gallery

castle

2 of 2

verb

castled; castling ˈka-s(ə-)liŋ How to pronounce castle (audio)

transitive verb

1
: to establish in a castle
2
: to move (the chess king) in castling

intransitive verb

: to move a chess king two squares toward a rook and in the same move the rook to the square next past the king

Synonyms of castle

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Noun

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Examples of castle in a Sentence

Noun Millionaires built their castles along the lake. the implacable attackers placed the castle under a prolonged siege
Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Noun
The Knight’s Tale children’s department will offer a playful interpretation of the British home, inspired by medieval castles and courts. — Samantha Conti, Footwear News, 26 Oct. 2026 The history of castles is, of course, also filled with gruesome details, and some of the most famous fortresses served as prisons and sites of torture and execution. — Andrea Margolis, FOXNews.com, 25 Oct. 2026
Verb
The proactive Axar Patel hit an aggressive 27 before being castled by Nathan Ellis. — Tim Ellis, Forbes, 4 Mar. 2025 For example, pawns could not move two squares on their first turn, and there was no similar rule for castling. — Dylan Loeb McClain, New York Times, 27 May 2023 See All Example Sentences for castle

Word History

Etymology

Noun

Middle English castel, from Old English, from Old French & Latin; Old French dialect (Norman-Picard) castel, from Latin castellum fortress, diminutive of castrum fortified place; perhaps akin to Latin castrare to castrate

First Known Use

Noun

before the 12th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Verb

1611, in the meaning defined at transitive sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of castle was before the 12th century

Phrases Containing castle

Rhymes for castle

See All Rhymes for castle

Browse Nearby Words

cast-iron plant
castle
Castlebar
See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Castle.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/castle. Accessed 27 Oct. 2026.

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Kids Definition

castle

noun
cas·​tle
ˈkas-əl
1
a
: a large building or group of buildings usually having high walls with towers and a surrounding moat for protection
b
: a large or impressive house
2
: rook entry 3
Etymology

Noun

Middle English castel "castle," from early French castel (same meaning), from Latin castellum "castle, fortress" — related to château

More from Merriam-Webster on castle

Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about castle

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