What does "fortification" mean?
The act of fortifying; the art or science of fortifying places to strengthen defence against an enemy.
Fortification
/ˌfɔː(ɹ)tɪfɪˈkeɪʃən/ noun
noun ·Moderate ·High school level
Meaning at a glance
- Primary sense: The act of fortifying; the art or science of fortifying places to strengthen defence against an enemy.
- Grammar: fortification is listed as noun.
- Nearest alternatives: abatis, admixture, advanced work, affirmation.
- Useful contrasts: deterioration, unfortified foods, unfortified structure.
- Usage evidence: I came home to my fortification, not feeling, as we say, the ground I went on, but terrified to the last degree, looking behind me at every two or three steps, mistaking every bush and tree, and fancying every stump at a distance to be a man.
How to use "fortification"
- Start with the primary definition, then check the part of speech before placing the word in a sentence.
- Compare nearby synonyms to make sure "fortification" carries the exact meaning, tone, and strength you need.
- Use the example sentence as a context check. If your sentence uses the word differently, confirm that the grammar still fits.
Meaning check
- Does the word fit the sentence's grammar?
- Does it match the intended tone rather than only the dictionary definition?
- Would a simpler synonym be clearer for the reader?
- Is there enough surrounding context to prevent ambiguity?
Source and review context
This entry combines structured lexical data with WordToolSet review checks. Definitions, examples, synonyms, and usage notes may come from different source tables, so the page is designed to show evidence from more than one angle before you rely on "fortification" in a final draft.
If a word has several senses, prefer the sense that matches your sentence's grammar and surrounding context. A correct definition can still be the wrong choice when the sentence needs a different register, emphasis, or level of specificity.
Before you rely on this definition
Read the first definition as a starting point, then check the example, synonyms, and part of speech before treating "fortification" as the right word for your sentence.
If your draft is formal, technical, persuasive, or sensitive, compare "fortification" with a nearby alternative so the final choice matches both meaning and reader expectation.
Compare nearby meanings
- Use synonyms when you need a softer, stronger, simpler, or more specific word.
- Use antonyms to check the boundary of the meaning and avoid accidental contrast.
- Use the example sentence to confirm the word behaves naturally in context.
- Keep the original wording when a replacement adds complexity without improving precision.
Definition decision workflow
1. Identify the role
Check whether "fortification" is acting as noun in your sentence. A definition is only useful when the grammar matches the way the word is being used.
2. Test the nearest option
Compare it with "abatis" and other nearby choices to see whether the sentence needs a softer, stronger, or more familiar word.
3. Confirm with context
Use the example sentence below as an evidence check, then read your own sentence out loud to catch tone or rhythm problems.
Review note: Definition pages are checked for source coverage, sentence evidence, synonym support, and editorial insight before they are treated as approval-ready pages. If the evidence is too thin, the page remains available to users but is kept out of the approval-facing indexed inventory.
Final meaning check
Before publishing a sentence with "fortification", ask whether the word helps the reader understand the idea faster. A precise word should reduce confusion, not simply make the sentence look more polished.
When the definition, synonym evidence, and example context point in the same direction, the word is usually a safer choice. When they conflict, revise the sentence or choose a clearer alternative.
Definitions
Noun
- 1 The act of fortifying; the art or science of fortifying places to strengthen defence against an enemy. countable, uncountable
- 2 the addition of an ingredient for the purpose of enrichment (as the addition of alcohol to wine or the addition of vitamins to food) wordnet
- 3 That which fortifies; especially, a work or works erected to defend a place against attack; a fortified place; a fortress; a fort; a castle. countable, uncountable
"Kenett states that the military works still known by the name of Tadmarten Camp and Hook-Norton Barrow were cast up at this time ; the former, large and round, is judged to be a fortification of the Danes, and the latter, being smaller and rather a quinquangle than a square, of the Saxons."
- 4 defensive structure consisting of walls or mounds built around a stronghold to strengthen it wordnet
- 5 An increase in effectiveness, as by adding ingredients. countable, uncountable
"Compare the nutrition information label of a regular ready-to-eat fortified cereal with that of a presweetened brand and you'll note that, although the sweetened one's sugar content is higher, the fortification is virtually identical."
Show 2 more definitions
- 6 the art or science of strengthening defenses wordnet
- 7 A jagged pattern sometimes seen during an attack of migraine. countable, uncountable
Synonyms
All synonymsAntonyms
Example
"I came home to my fortification, not feeling, as we say, the ground I went on, but terrified to the last degree, looking behind me at every two or three steps, mistaking every bush and tree, and fancying every stump at a distance to be a man."
Common questions
What is a synonym for "fortification"?
Common synonyms include: abatis, admixture, advanced work, affirmation, attestation, authentication.
How do you use "fortification" in a sentence?
I came home to my fortification, not feeling, as we say, the ground I went on, but terrified to the last degree, looking behind me at every two or three steps, mistaking every bush and tree, and fancying every stump at a distance to be a man.
How do you pronounce "fortification"?
Pronounced /ˌfɔː(ɹ)tɪfɪˈkeɪʃən/.
Etymology
Borrowed from Middle French fortification, from Late Latin fortificatio, fortificationem, from fortifico, from Latin fortis. By surface analysis, fort + -ification.