fortification

noun

for·​ti·​fi·​ca·​tion ˌfȯr-tə-fə-ˈkā-shən 

1

: an act or process of fortifying

2

: something that fortifies, defends, or strengthens

especially : works erected to defend a place or position

Did you know?

In the Middle Ages, many European cities were entirely enclosed by sturdy walls, with walkways along the top and towers at intervals, designed to make an invasion impossible. A water-filled ditch, or moat, might run alongside the wall for added defense. Such defenses turned the entire city into a fort, or fortress. Over the centuries, fortifications changed steadily with the development of new weaponry. In World War II, the German fortification of the French coast included antitank barriers, bunkers, minefields, and underwater obstacles, but it wasn't enough to turn back the immense force of the Allied invasion on D-day.

Synonyms

• bastion
• castle
• citadel
• fastness
• fort
• fortress
• hold
• redoubt
• stronghold

Examples of fortification in a Sentence

They began the fortification and reconstruction of the city.

defenders at the border fortifications preparing for an attack

Recent Examples on the Web

These ingredients are whole foods instead of specific vitamins and minerals that are used in fortification. —Sohaib Imtiaz, Verywell Health, 22 Jan. 2025

Walk the length of the city walls, the most intact fortification of its kind in England. —Jessica MacDonald, Travel + Leisure, 20 Jan. 2025

As senior vice president, chief external affairs officer, and President of the Entergy Charitable Foundation, John Hudson leads efforts on multiple fronts, with strategic investments in grid fortification as a top priority. —Essence, 13 Jan. 2025

Aerial views from the drone revealed a roughly 1-kilometer-long fortification wall snaking around the fortress that wasn’t immediately visible to the naked eye. —Mack Degeurin, Popular Science, 8 Jan. 2025

Word History

First Known Use

15th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Kids Definition

fortification

noun

for·​ti·​fi·​ca·​tion ˌfȯrt-ə-fə-ˈkā-shən 

1

: the act of fortifying

2

: a construction built for defense