augmentation

American  

[awg-men-tey-shuhn] / ˌɔg mɛnˈteɪ ʃən /

noun

1. the act of augmenting; state of being augmented.

2. that by which anything is augmented.

3. Music. modification of a theme by increasing the time value of all its notes.

4. Heraldry. an addition to a coat of arms granted to a person by a sovereign power in recognition of a notable action.

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augmentation British  

/ ˌɔːɡmɛnˈteɪʃən /

noun

1. the act of augmenting or the state of being augmented

2. the amount by which something is increased

3. music the presentation of a subject of a fugue, in which the note values are uniformly increased Compare diminution

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Usage

What does augmentation mean? Augmentation is the act or process of augmenting something—adding to it in a way that makes it bigger or better. This can involve literally or figuratively increasing it in size, number, shape, value, or quality or in some other way. The augmentation of a material involves the addition of another material or substance to make it stronger. The augmentation of a museum collection involves the addition of new artifacts. The word can also refer to a thing that augments—an additional source of income is an augmentation to one’s salary. Augment and augmentation are also used in a much more specific way in the context of music, but their general senses are much more commonly used. Example: The augmentation of our emergency stockpile should be our top priority.

Etymology

Origin of augmentation

1425–75; late Middle English (< Anglo-French ) < Late Latin augmentātiōn- (stem of augmentātiō ). See augment, -ation; replacing late Middle English aumentacion < Middle French

Explanation

Augmentation makes things bigger. An augmentation is also the amount something increases. To augment is to enlarge something or to add to it. Augmentation is the noun for any process or amount that makes something bigger or greater. It often refers to a budget, curriculum, or some kinds of plastic surgery. The augmentation of the defense budget would increase the budget. The amount of the increase could also be called an augmentation.

Example Sentences

Elsewhere, careful augmentation of the guitar/bass/drum arrangements expands the emotional range.

From The Wall Street Journal • Jan. 6, 2026

Last week, Carvalho announced an additional one-time augmentation of $50 million into the Black Student Achievement Plan, or BSAP, for the 2025-26 school year, bringing funding to $175 million.

From Los Angeles Times • Jun. 25, 2025

And the augmentation pump, that kind of life support system that they are on, is working already and there was even a sort of heart monitor device floating in the water.

From Salon • May 28, 2025

"It says I have eye bags. Get a chin augmentation? I've done that."

From BBC • Apr. 22, 2025

In Estraven, for instance, one feels the man’s power as an augmentation of his character; he cannot make an empty gesture or say a word that is not listened to.

From "The Left Hand of Darkness" by Ursula K. Le Guin

Related Words

• enhancement
• enlargement