fortified

American  

[fawr-tuh-fahyd] / ˈfɔr təˌfaɪd /

adjective

1. protected or strengthened against attack; provided with defensive military works.

   Jim’s platoon was the reserve force for his company's coordinated assault on a heavily fortified hill.

2. given strength or vigor, as by food or drink.

   She rejoined her companions, toting snacks and goodies in her pack, and the newly fortified hikers continued on their way the next day.

3. Nutrition. having one or more ingredients added, as vitamins, minerals, etc., to increase nutritional value.

   The fortified flour helps reduce anemia and enhance micronutrient uptake.

4. (of wine or the like) having extra alcohol added.

   Marsala, a fortified wine sweetened with concentrated grape juice, comes from Sicily.

5. strengthened mentally or morally.

   From this new perspective, he looked upon the impossible task with fortified courage.

6. having ingredients, elements, or features added in order to increase effectiveness or withstand strain or wear.

   The new, fortified design standards aim at strengthening buildings and infrastructure against high winds, flooding, and fire.

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verb

1. the simple past tense and past participle of fortify.

Other Word Forms

• unfortified adjective
• well-fortified adjective

Etymology

Origin of fortified

fortify ( def. ) + -ed ² ( def. )

Explanation

Fortified means strengthened or protected. When you've taken lots of vitamins, you should be fortified against getting sick! A fortified place is somewhere, like a military fort, where you are protected from danger, perhaps because you are high up on a hill or because your walls are built of iron. A fortified outfit would be a suit of armor. Fortified can also describe foods that have been supplied with added nutrients. Fortified milk might include added vitamin D, to ensure that you are getting your recommended supply.

Example Sentences

She advises people who are vegan to choose fortified milk and yoghurt substitutes to absorb more of these vitamins.

From BBC • Apr. 22, 2026

Though the couple’s house was well fortified, the suspect had managed to get in through an unlocked door.

From Los Angeles Times • Apr. 18, 2026

His lead frigates, flying American flags, entered the heavily fortified port under a cover of fog that lifted at a most inconvenient time.

From The Wall Street Journal • Apr. 17, 2026

In mid-December 2020, federal officials responsible for protecting American elections from fraud converged in a windowless, dim, fortified room at the Justice Department’s downtown Washington, D.C., headquarters.

From Salon • Apr. 14, 2026

They were headed for the village of Krymskaya, where German troops were camped along the fortified Blue Line, Hitler’s offensive front in Crimea.

From "A Thousand Sisters" by Elizabeth Wein

Related Words

• barricaded
• covered
• guarded
• protected
• reinforced
• secured
• strengthened
• walled