augmentation

American  

[awg-men-tey-shuhn] / ˌɔg mɛnˈteɪ ʃən /

noun

1. the act of augmenting; state of being augmented.

2. that by which anything is augmented.

3. Music. modification of a theme by increasing the time value of all its notes.

4. Heraldry. an addition to a coat of arms granted to a person by a sovereign power in recognition of a notable action.

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augmentation British  

/ ˌɔːɡmɛnˈteɪʃən /

noun

1. the act of augmenting or the state of being augmented

2. the amount by which something is increased

3. music the presentation of a subject of a fugue, in which the note values are uniformly increased Compare diminution

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Usage

What does augmentation mean? Augmentation is the act or process of augmenting something—adding to it in a way that makes it bigger or better.This can involve literally or figuratively increasing it in size, number, shape, value, or quality or in some other way.The augmentation of a material involves the addition of another material or substance to make it stronger. The augmentation of a museum collection involves the addition of new artifacts.The word can also refer to a thing that augments—an additional source of income is an augmentation to one’s salary.Augment and augmentation are also used in a much more specific way in the context of music, but their general senses are much more commonly used.Example: The augmentation of our emergency stockpile should be our top priority.

Etymology

Origin of augmentation

1425–75; late Middle English (< Anglo-French ) < Late Latin augmentātiōn- (stem of augmentātiō ). See augment, -ation; replacing late Middle English aumentacion < Middle French

Example Sentences

Labour MP and committee chair Sarah Owen said liquid BBLs and liquid breast augmentations pose a serious threat to safety.

From BBC

Doctors say they’re fielding even more calls than usual to book appointments for face-lifts and breast augmentations during the winter months, as patients anticipate spring break, summer vacation, wedding season and the gala circuit.

From The Wall Street Journal

Elsewhere, careful augmentation of the guitar/bass/drum arrangements expands the emotional range.

From The Wall Street Journal

Cybernetics professor Kevin Warwick is equally interested in studying augmentations, going one step further than most.

From BBC

The wildfire is so dominant it's arguably the main character in the film - the footage was either real, created by the gas lines, or by visual effects augmentation, using shots of real fires.

From BBC

Related Words

• enhancement
• enlargement