# reinforce

Pronunciation: US say "ree-in-FORS" /ˌɹi.ɪnˈfɔɹs/; say "ree-in-FAWS" UK /ˌɹiː.ɪnˈfɔːs/, AUS /ˌɹiː.ɪnˈfoːs/

## Verb

1. To make something stronger, especially by adding material or support to it.
   - Simple: To make something stronger by adding more to it.
   - _Engineers reinforce concrete with steel bars so it can carry heavier loads._
   - _The garrison reinforced its defenses along the river overnight._
2. To encourage a particular behavior or idea by providing a stimulus repeatedly.
   - Simple: To make a behavior or belief stronger by repeating something that supports it.
   - _Consistent rewards reinforce the desired behavior when training animals._
   - _The coach reinforced good habits through daily drills and steady feedback._
3. To emphasize or review something so that it is better understood or remembered.
   - Simple: To make a point clearer by saying or showing it again.
   - _The instructor reinforced the safety procedures before the lab began._
   - _Good summaries reinforce the lecture's main arguments for students._

## Origin

Formed from the prefix re- and inforce.

Source: DictionaryAI, https://dictionaryai.com/define/reinforce (written from Wiktionary data, CC BY-SA 4.0: https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0/).