reinforcement

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noun 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 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

Social media has become a fortress for social reinforcement instead of a place to exchange ideas.

— james lankford, National Review, "The Best Approach To Racism: Engage Each Other," 19 Aug. 2017
Much like these To Go Machines, Uniqlo plants stores in train stations and airports for the same purpose—to catch forgetful travelers who need to quickly grab reinforcements.

— cam wolf, GQ, "Uniqlo's Rolling Out Vending Machines, and Maybe a New Strategy," 3 Aug. 2017
Other men were evacuated after the British Expeditionary Force (BEF) called in reinforcements — any and all civilians with boats of their own.

— emma sarran webster, Teen Vogue, "Dunkirk: What Really Happened," 20 July 2017
Louisville City coach James O'Connor brought in some reinforcements up front, with the burly Luke Spencer and the shifty and skilled on the ball Cameron Lancaster coming into the game.

— daniel karell, The Courier-Journal, "Louisville City FC falls 3-2 at home to rival FC Cincinnati in front of record crowd," 15 July 2017
Luckily, the officer arrived just as the flames began to accelerate and was able to radio reinforcements to respond immediately.

— shelbie harris, idahostatesman, "‘Now I see why they’re illegal’: Idaho man burned down neighbor’s home with fireworks," 15 July 2017
That being said, the girls and their parents were getting specific fundamental reinforcement and were required be positive at all times.

— rick mauch, star-telegram.com, "Bell volleyball brings in coaching great for youth clinic," 28 June 2017
To help fend off criticism, Moon is taking reinforcements from Korea’s most powerful chaebol, the conglomerates that dominate its economy.

— bruce einhorn, Bloomberg.com, "South Korea Enlists Chaebol Execs to Disarm Trump Trade Threat," 27 June 2017
Despite McConnell's positive reinforcement, many Republican senators were not immediately sold on the draft legislation after a closed-door briefing Thursday morning.

— chrissie thompson, Cincinnati.com, "Kasich, Portman decline to back Senate GOP health care bill to replace Obamacare," 22 June 2017

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

reinforcement Synonyms

Synonyms

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

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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

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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

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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