reinforcement
UK: ˌriːɪnˈfɔːsmənt | US: ˌriːɪnˈfɔːrsmənt
n. the act of strengthening or supporting something
n. additional troops or resources sent to support a military operation
n. (psychology) a stimulus that increases the likelihood of a specific behavior
The word "reinforcement" originates from the combination of "re-" (Latin, meaning "again"), "inforce" (an archaic variant of "enforce," derived from Old French "enforcier," meaning "to strengthen"), and the suffix "-ment" (Latin "-mentum," indicating an action or resulting state). The term evolved in Middle English to describe the act of strengthening or supporting, later adopted in military and psychological contexts to denote added support or behavioral stimuli.
The bridge required steel reinforcement to withstand earthquakes.
The general requested reinforcement for the besieged troops.
Positive reinforcement encourages children to repeat good behavior.
The teacher used verbal reinforcement to motivate the students.
Engineers tested the concrete's reinforcement before construction resumed.