reinforcement

[ ree-in-fawrs-muhnt, -fohrs- ]

noun

1. the act of reinforcing.
2. the state of being reinforced.
3. something that reinforces or strengthens.
4. Often reinforcements. an additional supply of personnel, ships, aircraft, etc., for a military force.
5. a system of steel bars, strands, wires, or mesh for absorbing the tensile and shearing stresses in concrete work.
6. Psychology.
   1. a procedure, as a reward or punishment, that alters a response to a stimulus.
   2. the act of reinforcing a response.

Other Words From

• nonre·in·forcement noun

Word History and Origins

Origin of reinforcement¹

First recorded in 1600–10; reinforce + -ment

Example Sentences

The Israeli military said its aircraft conducted “intelligence-based strikes on fuel depots located inside military compounds belonging to Hezbollah’s Logistical Reinforcement Unit 4400 in the Bekaa Valley” on Wednesday.

From BBC

You know, I always tried to give him positive reinforcement and stuff like that and I’m just glad that he’s out there playing at the high level that he’s playing at.”

From Los Angeles Times

"And it's quite a positive reinforcement."

From BBC

He says the algorithms use “reinforcement learning” - a method where AI systems learn by trial and error - and train themselves to detect behaviour towards different videos.

From BBC

Home to a key railway station and major roads, Pokrovsk is an essential supply and reinforcement point for Ukraine’s troops on the eastern front line.

From BBC

Related Words

• aid