reinforcement

Extra soldiers or military supplies sent to help forces already fighting.

• Reinforcements arrived before dawn.
• The commander requested reinforcements for the northern front.
• Without reinforcements, the soldiers could not hold the town.

Common phrases: send reinforcements, await reinforcements, military reinforcements

The process of making something stronger or better able to resist damage or failure.

• The wall needs reinforcement.
• Steel bars provide reinforcement inside the concrete.
• The bridge reopened after extensive reinforcement.

How to use it: reinforcement of something (The reinforcement of the bridge took several weeks.)

Similar words: strengthening

Opposites: weakening

Common phrases: structural reinforcement, reinforcement of something, need reinforcement

A reward or response that makes someone more likely to repeat a particular action.

• Praise can provide positive reinforcement.
• The trainer used reinforcement to encourage the dog.
• Immediate reinforcement helped the children repeat the desired behavior.

Common phrases: positive reinforcement, negative reinforcement, use reinforcement

Something added to give extra strength or support.

• The frame has a steel reinforcement.
• These exercises provide useful reinforcement for classroom learning.
• Workers fitted reinforcements around the damaged doorway.

Similar words: support, brace

Common phrases: extra reinforcement, steel reinforcement, learning reinforcement