reinforcement

American  

[ree-in-fawrs-muhnt, -fohrs-] / ˌri ɪnˈfɔrs mənt, -ˈfoʊrs- /

noun

• reinforcements
  plural

1. the act of reinforcing.

2. the state of being reinforced.

3. something that reinforces or strengthens.

4. Often reinforcements. an additional supply of personnel, ships, aircraft, etc., for a military force.

5. a system of steel bars, strands, wires, or mesh for absorbing the tensile and shearing stresses in concrete work.

6. Psychology.

   1. a procedure, as a reward or punishment, that alters a response to a stimulus.

   2. the act of reinforcing a response.

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Other Word Forms

Derived Forms

• nonreinforcement
  noun

Inflected Forms

Nouns

• reinforcements
  plural

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Etymology

Origin of reinforcement

First recorded in 1600–10; reinforce + -ment

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Explanation

Reinforcement is a way to learn and remember things, like a student who repeats the facts he has studied for a test over and over, or the ways we praise children when they share their toys or say "please" and "thank you" — reinforcement of the good manners we want them to use. You’ll often hear the word reinforcement used in relation to a building or other structure that gets additional mechanical support, but the word can be used in a broader sense as well. In addition to strengthening walls, reinforcement can refer to the strengthening or propping up of an argument or a particular point of view. For example, if you show up in class every day and ask questions, that adds reinforcement to the notion that you’re a diligent student.

Example Sentences

See Examples For:

reinforcement reinforcements

Furthermore, once the temporary order expires at the end of this year, there’s the issue of reinforcement.

From MarketWatch ● Oct. 6, 2026

As an adult, a laser focus on her career and the demands of her family life became a way to stay detached from herself—a strategy that received consistent positive reinforcement.

From Slate ● Sep. 23, 2026

They echoed Dresser’s recommendation: treats also help with positive reinforcement.

From Los Angeles Times ● Sep. 11, 2026

Zirkzee's exit might open the door for a left-back or a reinforcement in the forward department, although that too might initially be a loan.

From BBC ● Aug. 31, 2026

You will see by his letters what pains he is taking to invite a reinforcement, at all events, there, and to transplant the war to the Southern Colonies.

From "The Astonishing Life of Octavian Nothing, Traitor to the Nation, Volume II: The Kingdom on the Waves" by M.T. Anderson

Although All-Pro safety Derwin James Jr. will miss his fourth consecutive game because of a hamstring injury, the winless Chargers are coming off their bye week with some much-needed reinforcements.

From Los Angeles Times ● Oct. 31, 2026

The Chargers, though, could use all the reinforcements they can get.

From Los Angeles Times ● Oct. 17, 2026

But unlike last time, Bath found a response as their reinforcements from the bench added grunt.

From BBC ● Oct. 2, 2026

Kenscoff Mayor Jean Massillon said the community is broke, desperate for government help and had been begging for reinforcements for months.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Aug. 26, 2026

Cornwallis knew that he could only get supplies and reinforcements by sea because the Americans would block anything coming by land.

From "George Washington, Spymaster" by Thomas B. Allen

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