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re·in·force·ment | \ ˌrē-ən-ˈfȯrs-mənt 
\
\Definition of reinforcement
1 : the action of strengthening or encouraging something : the state of being reinforced
2 : something that strengthens or encourages something: such as
a : an addition of troops, supplies, etc., that augments the strength of an army or other military force
—usually pluralAbout 8 a.m. Soviet tanks and armored personnel carriers containing reinforcements approached the gorge from the right flank.— John Barron
b : something designed to provide additional strength (as in a weak area)
a bridge in need of steel reinforcements
c : a response to someone's behavior that is intended to make that person more likely to behave that way again
positive/negative reinforcement
3 psychology : the action of causing a subject to learn to give or to increase the frequency of a desired response that in classical conditioning involves the repeated presentation of an unconditioned stimulus (such as the sight of food) paired with a conditioned stimulus (such as the sound of a bell) and that in operant conditioning involves the use of a reward following a correct response or a punishment following an incorrect response also : the reward, punishment, or unconditioned stimulus used in reinforcement
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Examples of reinforcement in a Sentence
“We're outnumbered! Call for reinforcements!”
We need to prevent enemy reinforcements from reaching the front line.
The bridge is in need of reinforcement.
You should encourage good behavior with positive reinforcement.
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Recent Examples on the Web After grappling with the issue for a decade, Google is calling in some reinforcements.
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Wired, "Google Enlists Outside Help to Clean Up Android's Malware Mess," 6 Nov. 2019 But soon after security forces nabbed him on October 17th, reinforcements from the family business arrived.
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The Economist, "Lessons from a shootout in Sinaloa," 24 Oct. 2019 The reinforcements arrived in many forms this offseason for the New York Rangers, whether in free agency (star winger Artemi Panarin, college defenseman Adam Fox), trade (defenseman Jacob Trouba) or draft (No. 2 pick Kakko).
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The Si Staff, SI.com, "Roundtable: Storylines, Surprises and Disappointments for 2019–20 NHL Season," 29 Sep. 2019 On Thursday, Turkey sent a convoy of reinforcements consisting of armored vehicles, personnel, personnel carriers and ammunition to its observation posts in Idlib, Anadolu Agency reported, without providing further details.
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SFChronicle.com, "Syrian government opens corridor for civilians in rebel area," 22 Aug. 2019 But rotational reinforcements have arrived; Homer Bailey landed in Oakland around 2 p.m. Tuesday afternoon and met with reporters an hour later.
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Shayna Rubin, The Mercury News, "Stephen Piscotty, Sean Manaea eyeing returns; Homer Bailey arrives," 16 July 2019 The group of men waited a while for reinforcements, and around 7:30, found the hidden children.
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Benjamin Vanhoose, PEOPLE.com, "Family of 'Hero' Boy, 13, Who Survived Attack in Mexico That Killed Mom Speaks Out," 11 Nov. 2019 The value of WR Emmanuel Sanders and CB Chris Harris Jr., who would be coveted by contenders such as the Packers and Eagles looking for reinforcements.
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San Diego Union-Tribune, "Broncos return to their bungling ways; is rebuild next?," 18 Oct. 2019 However, with Ole Gunnar Solskjaer’s squad thin on attacking options after letting Romelu Lukaku and Alexis Sanchez go, there looks to be a need for reinforcements.
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SI.com, "Juventus Chief Confirms Club Open to Selling Mario Mandzukic Amid Rumoured Man Utd Deal," 16 Oct. 2019
See MoreThese example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'reinforcement.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
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More Definitions for reinforcement
reinforcement
nounEnglish Language Learners Definition of reinforcement
: people and supplies that are sent to help or support an army, military force, etc.
: the act of strengthening or encouraging something
: a thing that strengthens or encourages something
See the full definition for reinforcement in the English Language Learners Dictionary
reinforcement
nounre·in·force·ment | \ ˌrē-ən-ˈfȯr-smənt \
\Kids Definition of reinforcement
1 : people or things (as supplies) sent to help or support
2 : the act of making something stronger or able to last longer
The bridge is in need of reinforcement.
reinforcement
nounre·in·force·ment | \ ˌrē-ən-ˈfōr-smənt, -ˈfȯr- \
\Medical Definition of reinforcement
: the action of causing a subject (as a student or an experimental animal) to learn to give or to increase the frequency of a desired response that in classical conditioning involves the repeated presentation of an unconditioned stimulus (as the sight of food) paired with a conditioned stimulus (as the sound of a bell) and that in operant conditioning involves the use of a reward following a correct response or a punishment following an incorrect response also : the reward, punishment, or unconditioned stimulus used in reinforcement — compare recruitment sense 1
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The first known use of reinforcement was in 1602
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