What context can I use each word in?
Learn when and how to use these words with these examples!
donjon
Example
The donjon was the most heavily fortified part of the castle. [donjon: noun]
Example
The soldiers took refuge in the donjon during the siege. [donjon: noun]
keep
Example
The keep was the last line of defense for the castle. [keep: noun]
Example
The soldiers retreated to the keep during the attack. [keep: noun]
Good things to know
Which word is more common?
Keep is more commonly used than donjon in everyday language. Keep is versatile and covers a wide range of contexts, while donjon is less common and may be unfamiliar to some English speakers.
What’s the difference in the tone of formality between donjon and keep?
Both donjon and keep are formal words that are typically used in historical or academic contexts.
