fortification

noun

for·​ti·​fi·​ca·​tion ˌfȯr-tə-fə-ˈkā-shən How to pronounce fortification (audio)
1
: an act or process of fortifying
2
: something that fortifies, defends, or strengthens
especially : works erected to defend a place or position

Did you know?

In the Middle Ages, many European cities were entirely enclosed by sturdy walls, with walkways along the top and towers at intervals, designed to make an invasion impossible. A water-filled ditch, or moat, might run alongside the wall for added defense. Such defenses turned the entire city into a fort, or fortress. Over the centuries, fortifications changed steadily with the development of new weaponry. In World War II, the German fortification of the French coast included antitank barriers, bunkers, minefields, and underwater obstacles, but it wasn't enough to turn back the immense force of the Allied invasion on D-day.

Examples of fortification in a Sentence

They began the fortification and reconstruction of the city. defenders at the border fortifications preparing for an attack
Recent Examples on the Web Its forces are working to establish hardened fortifications, including trenches and physical barriers, in a fashion similar to what the Russians did while Ukraine prepared last year’s counteroffensive. Dan Lamothe, Washington Post, 15 Mar. 2024 States and the federal government need to substantially increase investments in community risk reduction, home fortification and loss mitigation, and develop strategies to reduce insurers’ overreliance on unregulated, global reinsurance. USA TODAY, 13 Mar. 2024 When Russia constructed a network of defensive fortifications hundreds of miles long and multiple layers deep, Ukraine did not. Dara Massicot, Foreign Affairs, 8 Mar. 2024 Russian fortifications outside the southern village of Verbove, which Ukraine tried and failed to retake this fall, show a much different picture. Josh Holder, New York Times, 2 Mar. 2024 During his tenure, Pakistan witnessed a notable surge in Islamist militancy and the fortification of positions held by religious radicals. Kyra Colah, Fox News, 8 Feb. 2024 Groups built the fortifications around natural water sources in the desert to protect and develop their own lush, agriculturally viable landscapes. Sonja Anderson, Smithsonian Magazine, 18 Jan. 2024 By 1780, when the war was dragging and morale was low, Arnold was serving as commander of New York’s lower Hudson region, which included the military fortification at West Point. Barbara Spindel, The Christian Science Monitor, 1 Mar. 2024 Photos show the magnetic survey, revealing the two fortifications. Moira Ritter, Miami Herald, 23 Feb. 2024

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'fortification.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

Word History

First Known Use

15th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of fortification was in the 15th century

Dictionary Entries Near fortification

Cite this Entry

“Fortification.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/fortification. Accessed 29 Mar. 2024.

Kids Definition

fortification

noun
for·​ti·​fi·​ca·​tion ˌfȯrt-ə-fə-ˈkā-shən How to pronounce fortification (audio)
1
: the act of fortifying
2
: a construction built for defense
Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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