0 to make something stronger or more effective, or to become stronger or more effective: --
The rise in US interest rates caused the dollar to strengthen (= increase in value) against all the Asian currencies.
The organization's aim is to strengthen the cultural ties between Britain and Germany.
The bank loan has greatly strengthened our financial position.
The accident strengthens the case for better safety measures at fairgrounds.
His battle against cancer has strengthened his belief in God.
They have been strengthening their border defences in preparation for war.
1 to become more effective, or to make something more effective: --
2 to become more powerful or more difficult to break, or to make something stronger: --
3 to make something more effective or powerful: --
strengthen laws/regulations/mechanisms The Oil Conservation Division is in the process of trying to strengthen regulations over oil waste pits.
strengthen your position/performance/control Mobile operators need to strengthen their control over revenue and profit.
Recent efforts have been made to strengthen the role of outside directors.
Research and development expenses amounted to €76m in the first six months, reflecting the company's desire to further strengthen its technological leadership.
A discussion paper aiming to strengthen the EU's competition regime has been circulated amongst commissioners.
4 if the financial position of a company, economy, etc. strengthens, or if something strengthens it, it improves: --
5 if a currency strengthens, or if something strengthens it, it increases in value compared to other currencies: --
Some guidance about these resources would have strengthened the book, as would more guidance and encouragement about using journals.
If anything, the dominion of general medical practice was strengthened.
In each case, clans further penetrated formal institutions and strengthened their control of the state's economic and political resources.
This political culture relied on the use of "selective nostalgia" to strengthen loyalist local authority but could also be used to challenge central authority.
The conjugal bond has strengthened, and has weakened the traditionally strong bonds with siblings, parents and other relatives of the extended family.
These results led to the development of several dissemination activities to strengthen the recommendations on the appropriateness of breast cancer screening.
In a few places the arguments would have been strengthened by use of additional material.
Since it does not, this assumption strengthens the analysis that it is not present in these persons and numbers.