stronghold; fortified position
Refers to a heavily defended place, often used in military or strategic contexts. Can also be used figuratively for a firmly held position or bastion.
The enemy forces holed up in a stronghold on the mountain.
The region is known as a stronghold of the conservatives.
Standard kanji spelling for 'stronghold'.
Variant spelling; 累 is not standard for this meaning and may be an error or archaic usage.
Compound of 堅 (ken, 'firm, strong') and 塁 (rui, 'rampart, fort'). The exact historical derivation is uncertain, but the word is formed from kanji with meanings related to defense.