fortification

noun

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

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.

Synonyms

• fortress
• stronghold
• citadel
• bastion
• castle
• fort

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

The amount of fortification also varied based on the threat of attack in different regions of Puglia. —Aileen Weintraub, Smithsonian Magazine, 23 July 2025

The fort, which is normally closed to the public, is adjacent to Malta Film Studios, and is likely the only movie studio backlot that includes a 17th century complex full of actual prisons, ruins and fortifications as part of the available sets. —Pat Saperstein, Variety, 9 July 2025

Without energy fortification, businesses risk operational disruptions, escalating costs and unsustainable practices. —Junaid Ali, Forbes, 17 Mar. 2025

Union and Confederate sympathizers skirmished in the Hill Country, but no fortifications were built around the city until federal troops threatened distantly from Galveston, the Red River and the Rio Grande Valley. —Michael Barnes, Austin American Statesman, 2 July 2025

Word History

First Known Use

15th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Rhymes for fortification

• abbreviation
• abomination
• acceleration
• accentuation
• accommodation
• accreditation
• acculturation
• accumulation
• acetylation
• adjudication
• administration
• adulteration

Kids Definition

fortification

noun

for·​ti·​fi·​ca·​tion ˌfȯrt-ə-fə-ˈkā-shən 

1

: the act of fortifying

2

: a construction built for defense