reinforcement

[ ree-in-fawrs-muhnt, -fohrs- ]

/ ˌri ɪnˈfɔrs mənt, -ˈfoʊrs- /

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Definition of reinforcement

noun

the act of reinforcing.

the state of being reinforced.

something that reinforces or strengthens.

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

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

Psychology.

a procedure, as a reward or punishment, that alters a response to a stimulus.
the act of reinforcing a response.

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Origin of reinforcement

First recorded in 1600–10; reinforce + -ment

OTHER WORDS FROM reinforcement

non·re·in·force·ment, noun

How to use reinforcement in a sentence

Finally, a squad of reinforcements arrived and they were able to retreat.
The Brothers Who Ambushed ISIS|Mohammed A. Salih|December 27, 2014|DAILY BEAST
She told him she and her comrades are in dire need of reinforcements and if they had equal numbers they could beat them.
Kobani Still Stands Against ISIS and All Odds. But for How Long?|Jamie Dettmer|October 12, 2014|DAILY BEAST
Nothing but watch, that is, and prevent Kurdish reinforcements from crossing the frontier to help defend Kobani.
Kobani is Falling to ISIS in Syria. Kurd Protests Explode in Turkey.|Jamie Dettmer|October 10, 2014|DAILY BEAST
With reinforcements arriving from its Syrian factions, the group began their assault on the Kurdish Peshmerga.
Iraq’s Religious Minorities are Being Slaughtered and ISIS Just Captured the Last Town Giving Them Shelter|Andrew Slater|August 4, 2014|DAILY BEAST

Despite their appeals no reinforcements were sent to Tikrit.
The Paper Tiger of the Tigris: How ISIS Took Tikrit Without a Fight|Andrew Slater|June 29, 2014|DAILY BEAST
The cloud of these coming enemy reinforcements has cast its shadow over us for awhile and now the sun shines again.
Gallipoli Diary, Volume I|Ian Hamilton
His small force was in considerable danger, but Napoleon at once hurried up all possible reinforcements.
Napoleon's Marshals|R. P. Dunn-Pattison
Still we received neither cheers nor reinforcements from the population.
Blackwood's Edinburgh Magazine, No. CCCXXXIX. January, 1844. Vol. LV.|Various
Besides, he was immersed in military preparations, summoning reinforcements and hurrying up supplies.
King Robert the Bruce|A. F. Murison
General Miller then relinquished the pursuit and returned to Yloilo to await reinforcements for a campaign through the Island.
The Philippine Islands|John Foreman

Medical definitions for reinforcement

reinforcement

[ rē′ĭn-fôrs′mənt ]

The act or process of reinforcing.

Something that reinforces.

The occurrence or experimental introduction of an unconditioned stimulus along with a conditioned stimulus.

The strengthening of a conditioned response by such means.

An event, a circumstance, or a condition that increases the likelihood that a given response will recur in a situation like that in which the reinforcing condition originally occurred.

reinforcement

Definition of reinforcement

Origin of reinforcement

OTHER WORDS FROM reinforcement

Words related to reinforcement

How to use reinforcement in a sentence

Medical definitions for reinforcement