fortification

noun

for·ti·fi·ca·tion | \ ˌfȯr-tə-fə-ˈkā-shən

Definition of fortification

1 : an act or process of fortifying

2 : something that fortifies, defends, or strengthens especially : works erected to defend a place or position

Synonyms Did You Know? Example Sentences Learn More about fortification

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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

Image That pigment mixes with a collection of textures and characters around the grounds to form an ever-moving mosaic of sport and art; of energy and tranquillity; of foliage and fortification. — New York Times, "In Paris, a Mosaic of Sport and Art," 4 June 2018 Grab a map at the entrance and wander around the site, being sure to check out the lighthouse, the sentry boxes and the variety of views from the six-level fortification. — Sara Clemence, WSJ, "Puerto Rico on the Rebound: A Three-Day Getaway Guide," 26 Dec. 2018 At the entrances, sandbags and tires are stacked in fortification. — Jeré Longman, New York Times, "Watching the World Cup in a War Zone, Where Every Goal Matters," 15 June 2018 One of my favorite ancient-wall experiences is Hadrian’s Wall, the remains of the fortification built by the Romans occupying Britain nearly 2,000 years ago. — Rick Stevestribune Content Agency, The Seattle Times, "In Europe’s border walls, a divided history and a united future," 11 Sep. 2018 German and British tanks were mainly designed as offensive weapons to fight dug-in infantry in trenches, with machine guns to engage the infantry and field guns to destroy bunkers and other fortifications. — Kyle Mizokami, Popular Mechanics, "The First Tank-on-Tank Battle Happened 100 Years Ago," 26 Apr. 2018 The new research highlights the need for mandatory fortification, Oakley said. — Jonel Aleccia, The Seattle Times, "FDA allows food makers to fortify corn masa to halt birth defects, but few do," 16 Oct. 2018 The tunnels serve as defensive fortifications against predators who, like the termites, collect their food from the forest floor. — Jill Kiedaisch, Popular Mechanics, "Found: A Field of Termite Mounds You Can See From Space," 19 Nov. 2018 Roman records related that the emperor Commodus, who ruled the Roman empire from A.D. 180 to 192, built a temple to Apollo at Nicea outside the city fortifications. — Tom Metcalfe, Fox News, "Ancient church hidden in Turkish lake and a Pagan temple may lie beneath it," 6 Sep. 2018

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'fortification.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.