reinforcement

American  

[ree-in-fawrs-muhnt, -fohrs-] / ˌri ɪnˈfɔrs mənt, -ˈfoʊrs- /

noun

1. the act of reinforcing.

2. the state of being reinforced.

3. something that reinforces or strengthens.

4. Often reinforcements. an additional supply of personnel, ships, aircraft, etc., for a military force.

5. a system of steel bars, strands, wires, or mesh for absorbing the tensile and shearing stresses in concrete work.

6. Psychology.

   1. a procedure, as a reward or punishment, that alters a response to a stimulus.

   2. the act of reinforcing a response.

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Other Word Forms

• nonreinforcement noun

Etymology

Origin of reinforcement

First recorded in 1600–10; reinforce + -ment

Example Sentences

But the 20-year-old will not join the Premier League champions until the summer despite Liverpool's need for defensive reinforcements.

From Barron's

However, the 20-year-old is not set to move to Anfield until the end of the season despite Liverpool's need for defensive reinforcements.

From Barron's

City will be the biggest spenders for the second consecutive January, having spent £188m 12 months ago on reinforcements that have had varying degrees of impact on the first-team.

From BBC

Five innings is perfectly acceptable, with a parade of harder-throwing reinforcements in the bullpen.

From Los Angeles Times

The nation’s No. 1 recruiting class lands on campus next week, with plenty of highly ranked reinforcements on the way.

From Los Angeles Times

Related Words

• aid