fortification
Americannoun
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the act of fortifying or strengthening.
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something that fortifies or protects.
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the art or science of constructing defensive military works.
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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
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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.
noun
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the act, art, or science of fortifying or strengthening
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a wall, mound, etc, used to fortify a place
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such works collectively
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any place that can be militarily defended
Other Word Forms
Etymology
Origin of fortification
1400–50; late Middle English < Late Latin fortificātiōn- (stem of fortificātiō ), equivalent to fortificāt ( us ) fortified ( see 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.
Vocabulary lists containing fortification
Stay Strong: Forc and Fort
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Life Is So Good
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The Last Olympian
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Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
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
Cases of spina bifida dropped 31% and anencephaly declined by 16% after the fortification mandate, according to a federal study cited in the journal Teratology.
From Seattle Times • May 15, 2024
We were awakened before dawn to begin a fortification of the town.
From "The Astonishing Life of Octavian Nothing, Traitor to the Nation, Volume II: The Kingdom on the Waves" by M.T. Anderson
Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
