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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.


fortification British  
/ ˌfɔːtɪfɪˈkeɪʃən /

noun

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

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

    2. such works collectively

  2. any place that can be militarily defended

"Collins English Dictionary — Complete & Unabridged" 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

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

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.

The fortification of flour will therefore help boost intake of folic acid across the population, and, indirectly, better protect unborn babies.

From BBC • Nov. 14, 2024

A forthcoming study, set to launch in summer 2024, will look at iron fortification for children ages 3 to 5.

From Science Daily • Jun. 19, 2024

The latest study builds on an earlier one in which Kumar and fellow researchers helped evaluate the results of an iron fortification school lunch program for students ages 7 and 8 in India.

From Science Daily • Jun. 19, 2024

Cereal grain fortification also started as voluntary to give manufacturers time to implement changes, but the runway was much shorter: It graduated from voluntary to mandatory in under a year.

From Seattle Times • May 15, 2024

The rooms of the main castle—which he could see from the windows—were mostly small, because people can’t afford to build for luxury when they are making a fortification.

From "The Once and Future King" by T. H. White