reinforcement

noun re·in·force·ment \ˌrē-ən-ˈfȯrs-mənt\

reinforcements : people and supplies that are sent to help or support an army, military force, etc.

: the act of strengthening or encouraging something

: a thing that strengthens or encourages something

Full Definition of REINFORCEMENT

: the action of reinforcing : the state of being reinforced

: something that reinforces

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First Known Use of REINFORCEMENT

1602

Related to REINFORCEMENT

Synonyms: brace, buttress, mount, mounting, prop, support, shore, spur, stay, underpinning

REINFORCEMENT Defined for Kids

reinforcement

noun re·in·force·ment \ˌrē-ən-ˈfȯr-smənt\

Definition of REINFORCEMENT for Kids

: people or things (as supplies) sent to help or support

: the act of making something stronger or able to last longer <The bridge is in need of reinforcement.>

Medical Dictionary

reinforcement

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

Medical Definition of REINFORCEMENT

: 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 1