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
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
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
The squad saw few reinforcements ahead of the 2025 season, with two players signed on free transfers, one joining through the MLS SuperDraft and another on loan.
—Jeff Rueter, New York Times, 27 May 2025
The local fire and rescue services dispatched 55 vehicles and 232 personnel to the scene, while the Ministry of Emergency Management dispatched a working group and rescue reinforcements, the ministry said in a statement.
—Nectar Gan, CNN Money, 27 May 2025
What to look for in quality dirt bike gloves
Components, size and fit
The key components of a dirt bike glove are the padding, air vents, insulation and reinforcements.
—Bestreviews, Chicago Tribune, 26 May 2025
Positive reinforcement is the most popular training method among animal owners, supported by most veterinarians and animal trainers because of its soft nature.
—Maria Azzurra Volpe, MSNBC Newsweek, 25 May 2025
See All Example Sentences for reinforcement
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
show current usage.
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Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors.
Send us feedback.
Jeff Rueter, New York Times, 27 May 2025
The local fire and rescue services dispatched 55 vehicles and 232 personnel to the scene, while the Ministry of Emergency Management dispatched a working group and rescue reinforcements, the ministry said in a statement.
—Nectar Gan, CNN Money, 27 May 2025
What to look for in quality dirt bike gloves
Components, size and fit
The key components of a dirt bike glove are the padding, air vents, insulation and reinforcements.
—Bestreviews, Chicago Tribune, 26 May 2025
Positive reinforcement is the most popular training method among animal owners, supported by most veterinarians and animal trainers because of its soft nature.
—Maria Azzurra Volpe, MSNBC Newsweek, 25 May 2025
See All Example Sentences for reinforcement
Cite this Entry
“Reinforcement.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/reinforcement. Accessed 2 Jun. 2025.
Copy CitationKids 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
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