reinforcement

American  

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

noun

• reinforcements
  plural

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

Derived Forms

• nonreinforcement
  noun

Inflected Forms

Nouns

• reinforcements
  plural

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Etymology

Origin of reinforcement

First recorded in 1600–10; reinforce + -ment

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Explanation

Reinforcement is a way to learn and remember things, like a student who repeats the facts he has studied for a test over and over, or the ways we praise children when they share their toys or say "please" and "thank you" — reinforcement of the good manners we want them to use. You’ll often hear the word reinforcement used in relation to a building or other structure that gets additional mechanical support, but the word can be used in a broader sense as well. In addition to strengthening walls, reinforcement can refer to the strengthening or propping up of an argument or a particular point of view. For example, if you show up in class every day and ask questions, that adds reinforcement to the notion that you’re a diligent student.

Example Sentences

See Examples For:

reinforcement reinforcements

Furthermore, once the temporary order expires at the end of this year, there’s the issue of reinforcement.

From MarketWatch ● Oct. 6, 2026

This initiative would entail mutual reinforcement of the idea of America.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Oct. 1, 2026

As an adult, a laser focus on her career and the demands of her family life became a way to stay detached from herself—a strategy that received consistent positive reinforcement.

From Slate ● Sep. 23, 2026

They echoed Dresser’s recommendation: treats also help with positive reinforcement.

From Los Angeles Times ● Sep. 11, 2026

Dean Nabokov's eye twitched with irritation, and she looked up at the Headmarvellers for reinforcement.

From "The Marvellers" by Dhonielle Clayton

Whether those reinforcements will be back Friday remains to be seen.

From Los Angeles Times ● Sep. 3, 2026

Kenscoff Mayor Jean Massillon said the community is broke, desperate for government help and had been begging for reinforcements for months.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Aug. 26, 2026

Boss Oliver Glasner has played down the need for midfield reinforcements, despite Elliot Anderson's departure to Manchester City.

From BBC ● Aug. 25, 2026

The Magpies had already signed attacking reinforcements, bringing in Nick Woltemade from Stuttgart for a club-record fee of £69m and Yoane Wissa from Brentford for £55m.

From BBC ● Aug. 18, 2026

We stroll past the horse-boxes and go over to the reinforcements, who are already being issued with gas masks and coffee.

From "All Quiet on the Western Front: A Novel" by Erich Maria Remarque

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Related Words

• aid

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