reinforcement

noun re·in·force·ment \ ˌrē-ən-ˈfȯrs-mənt \

|Updated on: 4 Jun 2018

Examples: reinforcement in a Sentence

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 plural

About 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

See reinforcement defined for English-language learners

See reinforcement defined for kids

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.

Recent Examples of reinforcement from the Web

Positive reinforcement can make your partner feel confident about their abilities.

— elly belle, Teen Vogue, "How to Talk About Your Sexual Desires With Your Partner," 30 May 2018
The flying wing, on the other hand, would distribute the load among several cargo holds, eliminating the need for reinforcement.

— kyle mizokami, Popular Mechanics, "The U.S. Air Force’s First Flying Wing Jet Flew Way Back in 1949," 22 May 2018
Arizona's governor is deploying 225 members of the state National Guard to the U.S.-Mexico border on Monday, becoming the second state to heed President Donald Trump's call for reinforcement.

— elizabeth chuck /, NBC News, "Arizona National Guard to deploy 225 troops to the U.S.-Mexico border, answering Trump's call," 9 Apr. 2018
The biggest part of that is the flexibility of the bullpen, where Showalter has been able to call to the minors for reinforcements with optionable arms.

— eduardo a. encina, baltimoresun.com, "Orioles' potential Opening Day roster lacks flexibility that has allowed for creativity in past," 27 Mar. 2018
In need of reinforcements across their offensive line, the Texans drafted All-Southeastern Conference offensive tackle Martinas Rankin.

— aaron wilson, Houston Chronicle, "Texans draft Mississippi State OL Martinas Rankin in third round," 27 Apr. 2018
At defensive tackle, however, there’s a big need for reinforcements to aid Jordan Phillips, Davon Godchaux, Vincent Taylor and Gabe Wright.

— chris perkins, Sun-Sentinel.com, "Perkins: Dolphins must select a defensive tackle early in draft, and perhaps another later | Analysis," 20 Apr. 2018
And the Checkers’ National Hockey League parent club, the Carolina Hurricanes, has sent reinforcements.

— steve lyttle, charlotteobserver, "The Charlotte Checkers have won 5 straight games. Now for the really good news. | Charlotte Observer," 8 Apr. 2018
While a multiple-step skin care routine isn’t for everyone, the seemingly never ending dry and bitter temperatures call for reinforcements.

— jenna rennert, Vogue, "The Cure-All Ingredient Missing From Your Skincare Routine," 27 Mar. 2018

These 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.

First Known Use of reinforcement

1602

in the meaning defined at sense 1

See Words from the same year

NEW! Time Traveler

reinforcement Synonyms

Synonyms

brace, buttress, mount, mounting, prop, shore, spur, stay, support, underpinning;

Related Words

shoring;

column, pedestal, pilaster, pillar;

arch, bolster, bracket, cantilever, girder;

bearing;

crutch, peg, post, stake, stanchion, stand, stilt, strut, truss;

base, foundation, frame;

REINFORCEMENT Defined for English Language Learners

reinforcement

noun

Definition of reinforcement for English Language Learners

reinforcements : 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

REINFORCEMENT Defined for Kids

reinforcement

noun re·in·force·ment \ ˌrē-ən-ˈfȯr-smənt \

Definition of reinforcement for Students

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.

Medical Dictionary

reinforcement

noun re·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 1