fortify

[ fawr-tuh-fahy ]

verb (used with object)

, for·ti·fied, for·ti·fy·ing.

1. to protect or strengthen against attack; surround or provide with defensive military works.
2. to furnish with a means of resisting force or standing strain or wear:

   to fortify cotton with nylon.

3. to make strong; impart strength or vigor to:

   to fortify oneself with a good breakfast.

   Synonyms: reinforce, strengthen

4. to increase the effectiveness of, as by additional ingredients:

   to fortify a diet with vitamins; to fortify a lotion with lanolin.

5. to strengthen mentally or morally:

   to be fortified by religious faith.

   Synonyms: embolden, hearten

6. to confirm or corroborate:

   to fortify an accusation with facts.

7. Nutrition. to add one or more ingredients to (a food) to increase its nutritional content.
8. to add alcohol to (wine or the like).

verb (used without object)

, for·ti·fied, for·ti·fy·ing.

1. to set up defensive works; erect fortifications.

fortify

/ ˈfɔːtɪˌfaɪ /

verb

1. also intr to make (a place) defensible, as by building walls, digging trenches, etc
2. to strengthen physically, mentally, or morally
3. to strengthen, support, or reinforce (a garment, structure, etc)
4. to add spirits or alcohol to (wine), in order to produce sherry, port, etc
5. to increase the nutritious value of (a food), as by adding vitamins and minerals
6. to support or confirm

   to fortify an argument with facts

Derived Forms

• ˈfortiˌfyingly, adverb
• ˈfortiˌfier, noun
• ˈfortiˌfiable, adjective

Other Words From

• for·ti·fi·a·ble adjective
• for·ti·fi·er noun
• for·ti·fy·ing·ly adverb
• non·for·ti·fi·a·ble adjective
• non·for·ti·fy·ing adjective
• re·for·ti·fy verb (used with object) refortified refortifying
• un·der·for·ti·fy verb (used with object) underfortified underfortifying
• un·for·ti·fi·a·ble adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of fortify¹

First recorded in 1400–50; late Middle English fortifien, from Middle French fortifier, from Late Latin fortificāre, equivalent to Latin forti(s) “strong” + -ficāre -fy

Word History and Origins

Origin of fortify¹

C15: from Old French fortifier , from Late Latin fortificāre , from Latin fortis strong + facere to make

Example Sentences

The dam is now undergoing a retrofit that will raise its crest by 10 feet and fortify the dam for earthquake safety.

From Los Angeles Times

Flour is already fortified with calcium, niacin, thiamine and iron as a means of improving public health.

From BBC

“And together, what we’re doing is pushing back against increasing threats of autocracy and fortifying the institutions of democracy that our country and our states depend on.”

From Salon

The CDC says fluoridation to prevent tooth decay is one of the 20th century’s greatest public health achievements, and more than half of Californians live in communities with fortified water.

From Los Angeles Times

South Korea’s frontier with the North is an almost impenetrable barrier, the heavily mined and fortified Demilitarized Zone.

From BBC

Related Words

• brace
• build up
• buttress
• consolidate
• entrench
• protect
• reinforce
• secure
• shore up
• step up
• strengthen