reinforcement

noun

re·​in·​force·​ment ˌrē-ən-ˈfȯrs-mənt 

1

: the action of strengthening or encouraging something : the state of being reinforced

2

: something that strengthens or encourages something: such as

a

: an addition of troops, supplies, etc., that augments the strength of an army or other military force

—usually plural

About 8 a.m. Soviet tanks and armored personnel carriers containing reinforcements approached the gorge from the right flank.

—John Barron

b

: something designed to provide additional strength (as in a weak area)

a bridge in need of steel reinforcements

c

: a response to someone's behavior that is intended to make that person more likely to behave that way again

positive/negative reinforcement

3

psychology : the action of causing a subject to learn to give or to increase the frequency of a desired response that in classical conditioning involves the repeated presentation of an unconditioned stimulus (such as the sight of food) paired with a conditioned stimulus (such as the sound of a bell) and that in operant conditioning involves the use of a reward following a correct response or a punishment following an incorrect response

also : the reward, punishment, or unconditioned stimulus used in reinforcement

Synonyms

• brace
• buttress
• mount
• mounting
• prop
• shore
• spur
• stay
• support
• underpinning

Examples of reinforcement in a Sentence

“We're outnumbered! Call for reinforcements!”

We need to prevent enemy reinforcements from reaching the front line.

The bridge is in need of reinforcement.

You should encourage good behavior with positive reinforcement.

Recent Examples on the Web

Experts recommend positive reinforcement strategies for better results. —Alexandra Banner, CNN, 16 Dec. 2024

President Florentino Perez didn't take that opportunity, and ahead of the January transfer window opening in a few weeks, Madrid is reportedly closing in on a defensive reinforcement. —Tom Sanderson, Forbes, 16 Dec. 2024

The reinforcements will assist in searching through the widespread devastation that struck the densely populated archipelago of approximately 300,000 residents. —Raja Krishnamoorthi, Newsweek, 16 Dec. 2024

Yes, but: Defensive reinforcements could be on the way. ​​Defensive linemen Levi Onwuzurike, Josh Paschal and Alim McNeill returned to practice this week and D.J. Reader participated in some drills, the Detroit News reports. —Joe Guillen, Axios, 13 Dec. 2024

Word History

First Known Use

1602, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Kids Definition

reinforcement

noun

re·​in·​force·​ment ˌrē-ən-ˈfōr-smənt 

-ˈfȯr-

1

: the action of reinforcing : the state of being reinforced

2

: something that reinforces

Medical Definition

reinforcement

noun

re·​in·​force·​ment ˌrē-ən-ˈfōr-smənt, -ˈfȯr- 

: the action of causing a subject (as a student or an experimental animal) to learn to give or to increase the frequency of a desired response that in classical conditioning involves the repeated presentation of an unconditioned stimulus (as the sight of food) paired with a conditioned stimulus (as the sound of a bell) and that in operant conditioning involves the use of a reward following a correct response or a punishment following an incorrect response

also : the reward, punishment, or unconditioned stimulus used in reinforcement compare recruitment sense 1