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
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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 of fortification from the Web
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To save patients and medical workers, staff have moved entire hospitals underground into basements and caves, constructing military-like fortifications to try to keep operating even as the bombs keep falling.
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The site includes a chapel and a museum containing a poignant collection of artifacts from the Italian front and some original trench fortifications.
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Airplanes and missiles rendered the city wall symbolic; these days, the important defensive barriers aren't physical fortifications.
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.
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.
15th Century
First Known Use of fortification
15th century
FORTIFICATION Defined for English Language Learners
fortification
playDefinition of fortification for English Language Learners
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: the act of building military defenses to protect a place against attack : the act of fortifying something
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: a structure (such as a wall or tower) that is built to protect a place
FORTIFICATION Defined for Kids
fortification
playDefinition of fortification for Students
1 : the act of making stronger or enriching
2 : something built to strengthen or protect
Learn More about fortification
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See words that rhyme with fortification Thesaurus: All synonyms and antonyms for fortification Spanish Central: Translation of fortification Nglish: Translation of fortification for Spanish speakers Britannica English: Translation of fortification for Arabic speakers Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about fortification
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