fort mchenry: meaning, definition, pronunciation and examples
C1Historical, Geographical, Formal, Educational
Quick answer
What does “fort mchenry” mean?
A historical coastal fort in Baltimore, Maryland, USA, famous for its defence during the War of 1812.
Audio
Pronunciation
Definition
Meaning and Definition
A historical coastal fort in Baltimore, Maryland, USA, famous for its defence during the War of 1812.
The site and its battle that inspired the writing of 'The Star-Spangled Banner', the US national anthem. More broadly, it represents American national resilience and a historical landmark in the early republic.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
In American English, it is a well-known historical site and symbol. In British English, it is primarily a specific historical reference point from a conflict where Britain was involved.
Connotations
In American English: Patriotism, resilience, national origin story. In British English: Primarily a historical military engagement without the same cultural resonance.
Frequency
High frequency in American historical, educational, and patriotic contexts. Very low frequency in contemporary British English outside specific historical discussions.
Grammar
How to Use “fort mchenry” in a Sentence
The battle at [Fort McHenry] inspired [the anthem].[Francis Scott Key] witnessed the [bombardment of Fort McHenry].Vocabulary
Collocations
Usage
Meaning in Context
Business
Not applicable in a standard business context.
Academic
Used in historical, military history, and American studies contexts.
Everyday
Used when discussing US history, patriotism, or visiting Baltimore landmarks.
Technical
Used in historical architecture, preservation, and military engineering discussions.
Vocabulary
Synonyms of “fort mchenry”
Strong
Neutral
Weak
Watch out
Common Mistakes When Using “fort mchenry”
- Writing 'Fort McHenry' without capitalisation.
- Misspelling as 'Fort McHenry' (incorrect spacing) or 'Fort McHenrey'.
- Using it with an article ('the Fort McHenry') unless part of a longer title (e.g., 'the Fort McHenry National Monument').
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
No. 'Fort McHenry' is a proper noun, the specific name of a historical site. It must always be capitalised.
It is the fort whose defence during the War of 1812 was witnessed by Francis Scott Key, who then wrote the poem that became the lyrics for 'The Star-Spangled Banner', the US national anthem.
No, that is incorrect and ambiguous. 'McHenry' alone could refer to a person or other places. The full name 'Fort McHenry' is required for clarity.
No. Its active military use ended in 1912. It is now a national monument and historic shrine maintained by the US National Park Service.
A historical coastal fort in Baltimore, Maryland, USA, famous for its defence during the War of 1812.
Fort mchenry is usually historical, geographical, formal, educational in register.
Fort mchenry: in British English it is pronounced /ˌfɔːt məkˈhen.ri/, and in American English it is pronounced /ˌfɔːrt məkˈhen.ri/. Tap the audio buttons above to hear it.
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Think: 'Mac' at the 'Henry' door – McHenry – defended the door (fort) to Baltimore, and the sight of the flag inspired the 'Star' (Spangled Banner).
Conceptual Metaphor
A BIRTHPLACE OF THE ANTHEM (Fort McHenry is the place where the national anthem was 'born'). A SHIELD (the fort acted as a protective shield for the city).
Practice
Quiz
What is Fort McHenry most famous for?