fortification

[fawr-tuh-fi-key-shuhn]

noun

1. the act of fortifying or strengthening.

2. something that fortifies or protects.

3. the art or science of constructing defensive military works.

4. Often fortifications. military works constructed for the purpose of strengthening a position; a fort.

   Supposedly impregnable, the fortifications were quickly overrun.

   Synonyms: bulwark, stronghold, citadel, fortress

5. a strengthening or improvement, as by addition of or intensification with another ingredient.

   the fortification of milk with vitamin D; the fortification of wine with alcohol.

fortification

/ ˌfɔːtɪfɪˈkeɪʃən /

noun

1. the act, art, or science of fortifying or strengthening

2. 1. a wall, mound, etc, used to fortify a place

   2. such works collectively

3. any place that can be militarily defended

Other Word Forms

• nonfortification noun
• refortification noun

Word History and Origins

Origin of fortification¹

1400–50; late Middle English < Late Latin fortificātiōn- (stem of fortificātiō ), equivalent to fortificāt ( us ) fortified ( fortify, -ate ¹ ) + -iōn- -ion

Example Sentences

These new fortifications carved in the Ukrainian dirt chart a deteriorating situation here in Donetsk.

From BBC

But Ukraine is estimated to have held onto about 30% of Donetsk, including several key cities and fortifications, at a cost of tens of thousands of Ukrainian lives.

From BBC

"If we withdraw from the Donbas today - our fortifications, our terrain, the heights we control - we will clearly open a bridgehead for the Russians to prepare an offensive," he said.

From BBC

Under his leadership - and with large sums of government money - Governor Starovoit had launched the construction of defensive fortifications along the border.

From BBC

He was arrested in April and was later accused of embezzling funds that had been allocated for the building of fortifications on the border with Ukraine.

From BBC

Related Words

• barricade 
• citadel 
• fortress 
• reinforcement