Standard Lemma guide

donjon

noun · 2 senses · updated from the 2026-07-25 local source snapshot

Definitions and examples are grouped by meaning. Pronunciation, history, word forms, translations, descendants, synonyms, antonyms, derived terms, and related words appear whenever the source provides them.

Sound

Pronunciation

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  • /ˈdʌn.d͡ʒən/
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  • US: Recorded audio is listed in the source snapshot.
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1

noun

Meaning 1

The fortified tower and main residence of a motte or early castle; a keep.

Definition source: English Wiktionary via Wiktextract

No example sentence was provided for this meaning.

Meaning relationships

Synonyms: none provided

Antonyms: none provided

2

noun

Meaning 2

the main tower within the walls of a medieval castle or fortress

Definition source: Princeton WordNet 3.0

No example sentence was provided for this meaning.

Meaning relationships

Synonyms: keep, dungeon

Antonyms: none provided

Broader terms: stronghold, fastness

Narrower terms: Black Hole of Calcutta

History

Etymology

A variant of dungeon remodelled on its etymon, Old French donjon.