fortification

American  

[fawr-tuh-fi-key-shuhn] / ˌfɔr tə fɪˈkeɪ ʃən /

noun

1. the act of fortifying or strengthening.

2. something that fortifies or protects.

3. the art or science of constructing defensive military works.

4. Often fortifications. military works constructed for the purpose of strengthening a position; a fort.

   Supposedly impregnable, the fortifications were quickly overrun.

   Synonyms:

   bulwark, stronghold, citadel, fortress

5. a strengthening or improvement, as by addition of or intensification with another ingredient.

   the fortification of milk with vitamin D; the fortification of wine with alcohol.

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fortification British  

/ ˌfɔːtɪfɪˈkeɪʃən /

noun

1. the act, art, or science of fortifying or strengthening

2. 1. a wall, mound, etc, used to fortify a place

   2. such works collectively

3. any place that can be militarily defended

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Other Word Forms

• nonfortification noun
• refortification noun

Etymology

Origin of fortification

1400–50; late Middle English < Late Latin fortificātiōn- (stem of fortificātiō ), equivalent to fortificāt ( us ) fortified ( fortify, -ate ¹ ) + -iōn- -ion

Explanation

A fortification is a strong wall, building, or other reinforced structure that's used to defend against attack. In medieval times, castle fortifications protected them from invading armies. If you've ever built a fort in your living room or back yard, you know what a fortification is—fort is the shortened form, and the source word is the Latin fortificare, "make strong." Another meaning of fortification is "the act of making something (or someone) stronger," so you might talk about the fortification your math team got from taking an online calculus class or the fortification of your favorite breakfast cereal with vitamins.

Example Sentences

It also brought his MLB-leading batting average to .449 — and wasn’t just icing on the cake but fortification against the Rangers’ hitters who wouldn’t quit.

From Los Angeles Times • Apr. 11, 2026

While they are often described as providing "empty calories," the study found they can meet micronutrient needs, largely because of vitamin fortification.

From Science Daily • Feb. 5, 2026

He promised himself a good meal that night, fortification to complete a job only half done.

From BBC • Oct. 28, 2024

Three years after the voluntary fortification was introduced, researchers harnessed social media to help survey masa products on shelves across the nation, running a #FindFolicAcid scavenger hunt.

From Seattle Times • May 15, 2024

Perspective painting, ballistics and fortification, cartography and navigation prepared the ground for Galileo, Descartes and Newton.

From "The Invention of Science" by David Wootton

Related Words

• barricade
• citadel
• fortress
• reinforcement