adjustment

noun

ad·​just·​ment ə-ˈjəs(t)-mənt How to pronounce adjustment (audio)
plural adjustments
1
: the act or process of adjusting
2
: a settlement of a claim or debt in a case in which the amount involved is uncertain or full payment is not made
3
: the state of being adjusted
4
: a means (such as a mechanism) by which things are adjusted one to another
5
: a correction or modification to reflect actual conditions
6
chiropractic : the manual or mechanical manipulation of a joint (especially the spine) in which a controlled force is applied to the joint
A click of the instrument allows the practitioner to provide a quick and precise thrust to the spine, making the adjustment before the patient's muscular reflex can tense the body and interfere with the manipulation.Dr. Andrew Weil's Self Healing
adjustmental adjective

Examples of adjustment in a Sentence

The engine only needed a minor adjustment. She made some slight adjustments to the recipe. The engine only needed minor adjustment. Moving from the city to the country requires an adjustment. We went through a period of adjustment at the new school. The figures were calculated with no adjustments for inflation. The figures were calculated with no adjustment for inflation.
Recent Examples on the Web This variation is due to the complexities of Earth's orbit around the Sun and the adjustments made in the calendar system to account for these movements. The Arizona Republic, 9 Mar. 2024 Here's how: Actively prepare for the adjustment Taking steps to prepare for the time change is one way to conquer the daylight saving shift. Sara Moniuszko, CBS News, 8 Mar. 2024 The adjustment, along with other developments, means the budget Gov. Wes Moore (D) introduced in January needs more than $500 million in extra cash to balance it. Erin Cox, Washington Post, 8 Mar. 2024 Gauff and her inner circle describe a period of maturation and constant adjustment. Abby Aguirre, Vogue, 6 Mar. 2024 The inflation rate adjustment for property taxes in Michigan was 3.3% in 2022 — less than a maximum 5% allowed but the highest increase in more than a decade. Susan Tompor, Detroit Free Press, 6 Mar. 2024 The time adjustment affects the daily lives of hundreds of millions of Americans, prompting clock changes, contributing to less sleep in the days following and, of course, later sunsets. USA TODAY, 4 Mar. 2024 With this option, the guests’ personal concierge will provide them with daily menu offerings each day and make any necessary adjustments. Roger Sands, Forbes, 2 Mar. 2024 Examine your professional or domestic situation, and prepare to make positive adjustments. Eugenia Last, The Mercury News, 1 Mar. 2024

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'adjustment.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

Word History

Etymology

borrowed from French ajustement, going back to Middle French adjutement, adjustement, from adjuster "to adjust" + -ment -ment

First Known Use

1644, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of adjustment was in 1644

Dictionary Entries Near adjustment

Cite this Entry

“Adjustment.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/adjustment. Accessed 18 Mar. 2024.

Kids Definition

adjustment

noun
ad·​just·​ment ə-ˈjəs(t)-mənt How to pronounce adjustment (audio)
1
: the act or process of adjusting
2
: a settlement of a claim or debt
3
: the state of being adjusted
4
: a means of adjusting one part (as in a machine) in relation to another
an adjustment for focusing a microscope

Medical Definition

adjustment

noun
ad·​just·​ment ə-ˈjəs(t)-mənt How to pronounce adjustment (audio)
1
: the act or process of adjusting: as
a
: the process of modifying one's behavior in changed circumstances or an altered environment in order to fulfill psychological, physiological, and social needs
b
: a functional and often transitory alteration by which an organism adapts to its immediate environment compare adaptation sense 2b
2
: a means (as a mechanism) by which things are adjusted one to another
adjustments for brightness
3
chiropractic : the manual or mechanical manipulation of a joint (especially of the spine) in which a controlled force is applied to the joint

More from Merriam-Webster on adjustment

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