fortification

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

|Updated on: 11 Aug 2018

Examples: fortification in a Sentence

Editor's Note: Did You Know?

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

One of the game’s core mechanics is collecting materials to build protective fortifications.

— NBC News, "What is 'Fortnite?': A look at the video game that has become a phenomenon," 30 June 2018
This story is one of the text’s few mentions of Abel Beth Maacah, an ancient fortification that once stood at the crossroads of three powerful kingdoms—Israel, Damascus and Tyre.

— meilan solly, Smithsonian, "Could This Sculpted Head Depict a Little-Known Biblical King?," 11 June 2018
There aren't many pirates left, but back in the 16th century, when Barbarossa was ripping around the Mediterranean, visitors were probably glad for the fortifications.

— the editors of gq, GQ, "8 European Beach Vacations That’ll Make Your Instagram Friends Jealous," 28 June 2018
No manner of fortifications—sea walls, backup generators, solar arrays, and dedicated electrical grids—can fully protect the market from a major storm.

— sean patrick cooper, The New Republic, "Is America Ready for the Next Superstorm?," 4 June 2018
Even though Ancelotti's greatest skill is that of mental fortification, this has been most successful when combined with a team brimming with talent and potential, but low on confidence - think Real Madrid in 2013, or Chelsea in 2009.

— SI.com, "Why Carlo Ancelotti Could Have a Tough Time Replacing Maurizio Sarri at Napoli," 1 June 2018
The militants, apparently expecting attack from the east, had left their fortifications unprepared for an attack from behind, according to Lt.

— habib khan totakhil, WSJ, "U.S., Afghan Forces Launch Major Offensive Against Islamic State," 8 June 2018
Dozens more, including four medics, were treated for gas inhalation, as Israeli forces showered the area with tear gas canisters from behind their fortifications in Israel.

— Anchorage Daily News, "Israeli forces kill 3 Gaza protesters, wound 400, medics say," 27 Apr. 2018
By Saturday evening, state media was reported that troops are approaching Army of Islam fortifications on the edge of the town adding that street battles could begin soon.

— bassem mroue, chicagotribune.com, "Some claim chemical attack as violence claims more lives in Syrian capital and suburbs," 8 Apr. 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.

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.

First Known Use of fortification

15th century

in the meaning defined at sense 1

See Words from the same year

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fortification Synonyms

Synonyms

bastion, castle, citadel, fastness, fort, fortress, hold, redoubt, stronghold;

bunker, dugout;

blockhouse, garrison house;

Other Military Terms

bivouac, logistics, petard, salient, sally, supernumerary, tactical

FORTIFICATION Defined for English Language Learners

fortification

noun

Definition of fortification for English Language Learners

: the act of building military defenses to protect a place against attack : the act of fortifying something
: a structure (such as a wall or tower) that is built to protect a place