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

Related Words

• aid