reinforcement

noun

re·​in·​force·​ment ˌrē-ən-ˈfȯrs-mənt How to pronounce reinforcement (audio)
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

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
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
By the 2010s, deep learning combined with RL gave rise to deep reinforcement learning (DRL). Dhivya Nagasubramanian, Forbes, 4 Mar. 2025 Training a dog to ride a scooter requires patience, consistency, and positive reinforcement, according to Wag! Dan Perry, Newsweek, 28 Feb. 2025 The Celtics did receive reinforcements in the form of Jaylen Brown and Luke Kornet, who both were upgraded from questionable to available before tipoff against the Cavs. Zack Cox, Boston Herald, 28 Feb. 2025 Without extra reinforcements, suits are capable of providing protection up to 12 times higher than the safety standards mandated by current regulations. New Atlas, 27 Feb. 2025 See All Example Sentences for reinforcement

Word History

First Known Use

1602, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of reinforcement was in 1602

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Cite this Entry

“Reinforcement.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/reinforcement. Accessed 10 Mar. 2025.

Kids Definition

reinforcement

noun
re·​in·​force·​ment ˌrē-ən-ˈfōr-smənt How to pronounce reinforcement (audio)
-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- How to pronounce reinforcement (audio)
: 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

More from Merriam-Webster on reinforcement

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