牙 城(がじょう)

がじょう

noun

stronghold; bastion; citadel

1. stronghold; bastion; citadel

A position of strength or dominance, almost always used figuratively for an organization, industry, or territory that is firmly controlled.

業界(ぎょうかい)の牙城(がじょう)を崩(くず)す。

To topple the stronghold of the industry.

あの企業(きぎょう)はこの分野(ぶんや)の牙城(がじょう)を築(きず)いた。

That company built a stronghold in this field.

新興(しんこう)メーカーの参入(さんにゅう)により、大手(おおて)が長年(ながねん)守(まも)ってきた牙城(がじょう)がついに揺(ゆ)らぎ始(はじ)めた。

With the entry of emerging manufacturers, the stronghold that the major companies had defended for years finally began to waver.

Originally referred to the innermost tower of a castle where the commander resides (牙(きば) refers to a general's flag/standard + 城(しろ) castle). Now used almost exclusively in a figurative sense for a dominant position in business, politics, or competition.

Common collocations

牙城(がじょう)を崩(くず)す: to topple a stronghold
牙城(がじょう)を築(きず)く: to build a stronghold
牙城(がじょう)を守(まも)る: to defend a stronghold
牙城(がじょう)を脅(おびや)かす: to threaten a stronghold
難攻不落(なんこうふらく)の牙城(がじょう): an impregnable stronghold

Similar words

拠点(きょてん): base, strongpoint — more neutral, practical
砦(とりで): fortress, bastion — can be literal or figurative
本丸(ほんまる): main keep, core territory — also figurative for the heart of something

Related Words

Compare: 拠点(きょてん) (base, strongpoint)

Compare: 砦(とりで) (fortress, bastion)

Compare: 本丸(ほんまる) (main keep, core territory)

general

Added 2026.3.29 2:16 · Revised 2026.9.2 13:01

20000/20228_gajou