reinforcement

B2 Topic:Psychology & Behavior

Also spelled re-inforcement

US /ˌɹiɪnˈfɔɹsmənt/ UK /ˌɹiːɪnˈfɔːsmənt/ See IPA manual

Freq #23208

Meanings

1

noun
The act of making something stronger or more solid.

The old bridge needs reinforcement before heavy trucks can cross it.
2

noun
Extra soldiers, equipment, or help sent to support a group that is already working or fighting.

The commander radioed for reinforcements as the battle grew worse.
3

noun
A reward or response that encourages a person or animal to repeat a behaviour.

Praise can be a powerful reinforcement for good behaviour in children.
4

noun
Something added to give extra strength or support.

Steel bars act as a reinforcement inside the concrete wall.

Thesaurus

Synonyms

2 noun · extra soldiers, equipment,... support

3 noun · a reward or response that... rewardreinforcing stimulus

4 noun · something added to give... strengthener

Word family

Forms reinforcements

Derived forms interreinforcementnonreinforcementreoself-reinforcement

Related forms punishment

Etymology

From reinforce + -ment.

Topics

Psychology & Behavior Actions & Processes

External links

# reinforcement

**Type:** Word
**Level:** B2
**Part of speech:** noun
**IPA (US):** /ˌɹiɪnˈfɔɹsmənt/
**IPA (UK):** /ˌɹiːɪnˈfɔːsmənt/
**Frequency rank:** 23208

## Meanings
1. The act of making something stronger or more solid.
2. Extra soldiers, equipment, or help sent to support a group that is already working or fighting.
3. A reward or response that encourages a person or animal to repeat a behaviour.
4. Something added to give extra strength or support.

## Examples
- The old bridge needs reinforcement before heavy trucks can cross it.
- The commander radioed for reinforcements as the battle grew worse.
- Praise can be a powerful reinforcement for good behaviour in children.
- Steel bars act as a reinforcement inside the concrete wall.

## Derived Forms
- interreinforcement
- nonreinforcement
- reo
- self-reinforcement

## Related Forms
- punishment

## Etymology
From reinforce + -ment.

## AI Etymology
Reinforcement comes from reinforce + -ment. Modern senses include the act of making something stronger or more solid. and extra soldiers, equipment, or help sent to support a group that is already working or fighting.. The wider word family includes derivatives such as interreinforcement, nonreinforcement, reo, and self-reinforcement and related forms such as punishment.

## Topics
- Psychology & Behavior
- Actions & Processes

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