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

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

Saturday's deal had seen both sides agree to freeze the front lines where they are now, ban reinforcements and allow civilians living in border areas to return as soon as possible.

From BBC

But with both skipping the bowl season on their way to the NFL draft, USC doesn’t have much in the way of reinforcements at receiver.

From Los Angeles Times

Both sides agreed to freeze the front lines where they are now, ban reinforcements and allow civilians living in border areas to return as soon as possible.

From BBC

Related Words

• aid