reinforcement
nounUK /ˌɹiːɪnˈfɔːsmənt/ · CA, US /ˌɹiɪnˈfoɹsmənt/
Etymology From reinforce + -ment.
1
The act, process, or state of reinforcing or being reinforced.
- If a journalist speaks for herself, let her say so. If something is true of "a few" or "some" or "many" or, even, "most" of us, then let her say that. It may cost a few extra modifiers, but it will prevent the unconscionable reinforcement of the myth that we are all alike.1976 February 14, Thom Willenbecher, “Gremlins Inside The Press”, in Gay Community News, volume 3, number 33, page 5:
2
A thing that reinforces.
- There's a website that can be a good learning reinforcement.
- Tuchel had demanded energy, a finessing of the connections between his players, a reinforcement of the identity he has wanted to see emerge out of the autumn programme. It did not really happen.2025 November 13, David Hytner, “Saka and Eze strikes sink Serbia as England maintain perfect World Cup qualifying record”, in The Guardian:
3
In plural Additional troops or materiel sent to support a military action.
- Send in the reinforcements!
4
The process whereby a behavior with desirable consequences comes to be repeated.
Behavioral psychology
5
A small round white sticker placed around a punched hole in a piece of paper to prevent the binder's rings from tearing through the paper.
- Derived terms
- interreinforcement, negative reinforcement, nonreinforcement, positive reinforcement, primary reinforcement, reinforcement learning, reinforcement ring, reo, ring reinforcement, self-reinforcement, vicarious reinforcement
- Related terms
- punishment, operant conditioning, classical conditioning