augmentation

American  

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

noun

• augmentations
  plural

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.

Other Word Forms

Noun Inflected Forms

• augmentations
  plural

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

Explanation

Augmentation makes things bigger. An augmentation is also the amount something increases. To augment is to enlarge something or to add to it. Augmentation is the noun for any process or amount that makes something bigger or greater. It often refers to a budget, curriculum, or some kinds of plastic surgery. The augmentation of the defense budget would increase the budget. The amount of the increase could also be called an augmentation.

Example Sentences

See Examples For:

augmentation augmentations

“There is this augmentation of Martian energy, this feeling of needing to go up against an adversary, this feeling of needing to react quickly,” he said.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Jun. 13, 2026

In The Gambia, authorities have requested a 20 percent augmentation of their existing $172 million program, Kozack said, with a six-month extension and rephasing of access also in the cards.

From Barron's ● Jun. 4, 2026

"But to truly unlock its potential, we need to better understand the right doses, long-term safety, and interindividual variability in response to NAD+ augmentation strategies."

From Science Daily ● Mar. 24, 2026

Last week, Carvalho announced an additional one-time augmentation of $50 million into the Black Student Achievement Plan, or BSAP, for the 2025-26 school year, bringing funding to $175 million.

From Los Angeles Times ● Jun. 25, 2025

Apart from the spelling mistakes, the last line—Hope you will enjoy this recipe—was Estha’s only augmentation of the original text.

From "The God of Small Things" by Arundhati Roy

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

From BBC ● Feb. 17, 2026

“We had a colloquial term in the operating room: December Deductible Derby,” said Dr. Parcells, noting that patients seeking insurance-covered surgeries like breast augmentations have deductibles in mind.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Feb. 7, 2026

We are going to evolve with these new augmentations.

From Seattle Times ● Sep. 11, 2023

But it also leaves La'an in an existential limbo since her genetic augmentations are inherited.

From Salon ● Jul. 1, 2023

Having returned to England and entered Gray's Inn, he was called to the bar in 1533, and four years later began his public life as solicitor of the court of augmentations.

From Encyclopaedia Britannica, 11th Edition, Volume 3, Part 1, Slice 1 "Austria, Lower" to "Bacon" by Various

Related Words

• enhancement
• enlargement