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.
Instead of the protective fortification of concrete barriers and razor wire, the National Mall is marked by a sprawling, deliberate openness.
From Salon • Jul. 4, 2026
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
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
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
The outside windows had to be small, for reasons of fortification, but the windows which looked inward to the courtyard were big and sunny.
From "The Once and Future King" by T. H. White
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.
