reinforcement

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

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.

Other Word Forms

• nonreinforcement noun

Word History and Origins

Origin of reinforcement¹

First recorded in 1600–10; reinforce + -ment

Example Sentences

Through the system of mutual aid, police forces with fewer protests have have sent reinforcements across the country to back up those under pressure.

From BBC

The Dodgers also are rapidly adding reinforcements for their playoff push.

From Los Angeles Times

The jihadists were using modified commercial drones to strike at army bases, and were making it difficult for the military to send reinforcements, it added.

From BBC

Spurs are in the market for a high quality attacking midfield reinforcement.

From BBC

Emery still needs reinforcements in attack, hence talk of an interest in Chelsea's Nicolas Jackson, while recruits could arrive in midfield.

From BBC

Related Words

• aid