augment

1 of 2

verb

aug·​ment ȯg-ˈment How to pronounce augment (audio)
augmented; augmenting; augments

transitive verb

1
: to make greater, more numerous, larger, or more intense
The impact of the report was augmented by its timing.
2
: supplement
She took a second job to augment her income.
3
grammar : to add an augment to (a verb form) (see augment entry 2)
augmenter noun
or augmentor

augment

2 of 2

noun

aug·​ment ˈȯg-ˌment How to pronounce augment (audio)
grammar
: a vowel prefixed or a lengthening of the initial vowel to mark past time especially in Greek and Sanskrit verbs
Choose the Right Synonym for augment

increase, enlarge, augment, multiply mean to make or become greater.

increase used intransitively implies progressive growth in size, amount, or intensity

his waistline increased with age

; used transitively it may imply simple not necessarily progressive addition.

increased her landholdings

enlarge implies expansion or extension that makes greater in size or capacity.

enlarged the kitchen

augment implies addition to what is already well grown or well developed.

the inheritance augmented his fortune

multiply implies increase in number by natural generation or by indefinite repetition of a process.

with each attempt the problems multiplied

Examples of augment in a Sentence

Verb … a former member of Brunet's team, Jean-Renaud Boisserie of Berkeley, is in the Middle Awash seeking to augment the animal fossil record—particularly that of hippopotamuses. Rex Dalton, Nature, 5 Jan. 2006
These reserve units will soon be augmented by full-time Maritime Safety and Security Teams. The first of these teams was formed on July 3; a dozen more are supposed to be created within the next three years. David Helvarg, Popular Science, September 2002
The sale of its shares in such companies has helped augment its cash reserves from $1.7 billion to $2 billion. Call it a rainy-day fund—something that other dot-coms never had. But the move also suggests that even Yahoo has lost faith in the once boundless promise of Internet companies. Brad Stone, Newsweek, 19 Mar. 2001
The money augmented his fortune. Heavy rains augmented the water supply.
Recent Examples on the Web
Verb
Moreover, the company is working to add an AI functionality with a generative AI query-building option while eventually integrating predictive and adaptive AI to augment lab testing and decision-making procedures. Jon Stojan, USA TODAY, 18 Mar. 2024 Rather, its meditative, hyper-fixated approach to process — as seen through the eyes of seasoned lepidopterists — proves so hypnotic that any appeals or augments the movie makes are deeply felt before they’re intellectually understood. Siddhant Adlakha, Variety, 15 Mar. 2024 See all Example Sentences for augment 

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

Word History

Etymology

Verb and Noun

Middle English, from Anglo-French augmenter, from Late Latin augmentare, from Latin augmentum increase, from augēre to increase — more at eke

First Known Use

Verb

14th century, in the meaning defined at transitive sense 1

Noun

1671, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of augment was in the 14th century

Dictionary Entries Near augment

Cite this Entry

“Augment.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/augment. Accessed 28 Mar. 2024.

Kids Definition

augment

verb
aug·​ment
ȯg-ˈment
1
: to increase especially in size, amount, or degree
2
: to add to : supplement
augmentation
ˌȯg-mən-ˈtā-shən
-ˌmen-
noun
Etymology

Verb

Middle English augmenten "to increase," from early French augmenter (same meaning), derived from Latin augēre "to increase" — related to auction

Medical Definition

augment

transitive verb
: to increase in size, amount, degree, or severity
diabetes mellitus is augmented by hyperthyroidismC. H. Thienes

More from Merriam-Webster on augment

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