fortification
8 synonyms and 1 antonyms for fortification, grouped by meaning and by how common each one is.
Noun — A wall, tower, ditch or other structure built to defend a place against attack.
Synonyms
Less common
Still standard English, but they carry more weight.
Rare, literary or technical
Precise, but they will stand out — check the sense before using one.
Synonyms by Meaning
1. noun
A wall, tower, ditch or other structure built to defend a place against attack.
“The Roman fortifications along the river are still visible.”
2. noun
The act of making something stronger or better able to resist attack, pressure or damage.
“The fortification of the sea wall took three years.”
Opposites
How to use fortification
The word patterns that sound natural to a native speaker.
Neutral. Most often plural in the military sense, since defences usually come as a system rather than a single wall.
Etymology
Via French from late Latin fortificatio, from fortificare 'to make strong', from Latin fortis 'strong' and facere 'to make'.
Full origin of fortification →Frequently asked questions
What is the difference between a fortification and a fortress?
A fortification is any defensive structure or the act of building one, such as a wall, moat or gun emplacement. A fortress is a complete fortified building or settlement made up of many such works.
What does food fortification mean?
It means adding nutrients that a food does not naturally contain in useful amounts, such as iodine in salt, vitamin D in milk or folic acid in flour. It is a public health measure aimed at preventing widespread deficiencies.
Why is fortified wine called that?
Because a distilled spirit, usually grape brandy, is added during or after fermentation. This raises the alcohol content, halts fermentation and helps the wine keep, which is how port, sherry and madeira are made.