kremlin

plural kremlins

1. Slavic architecturearchitectureA fortified, central complex found in various Russian cities.

   9% of historical parks are the gardens of monasteries and kremlins (fortified centres in the towns), 8% are urban ("public") gardens and only 2% are parks on urban estates.

   1997, Council of Europe, Cultural Policy in the Russian Federation, page 107

   2 more examples

   Several cities in Russia were built around fortresses called kremlins. Russians built kremlins for defense during the Middle Ages. A kremlin was often located along a river.

   2012, Britannica Student Encyclopedia, Encyclopaedia Britannica, Inc, page 87

   The centre of the kremlin usually held the prince's or voivode’s court, the cathedral, and the bishop's court. This arrangement can be seen in quite a number of 16th-century kremlins. The main street of the kremlin connected this complex with the gate leading to the marketplace.

   2012, Konstantin Nossov, Russian Fortresses 1480-1682, page 45

1. The Moscow Kremlin; a fortified complex in Moscow, Russia that serves as the official residence of the President of the Russian Federation.

   Synonyms: Kreml

2. metonymicallyThe Russian or Soviet government.

   The Kremlin announced plans to increase funding for museums and the arts.

   2 more examples

   Over the course of the war in Ukraine, the Kremlin has drawn several “red lines” – with ostentatious references to Russia’s huge strategic nuclear arsenal – only to seemingly do nothing when these lines are crossed by Ukraine or its Western backers.

   2024 September 19, Fred Weir, “Why Putin’s nuclear saber-rattling on Ukraine sounds different this time”, in The Christian Science Monitor, archived from the original on 14 Dec 2024

   But residents say steady Russian military pressure – combined now with an American president’s apparent parroting of Kremlin talking points about the war, and his push for a ceasefire that could include Ukrainian territorial losses – means Russia is also winning in a different way, by escalating Ukrainian anxiety.

   2025 February 21, Scott Peterson, “Once-occupied Ukraine towns try to stay defiant amid fear over Russia gains”, in The Christian Science Monitor, archived from the original on 28 Feb 2025

   Synonyms: Moscow