amendment

noun

amend·​ment ə-ˈmen(d)-mənt 

1

a

: the process of altering or amending a law or document (such as a constitution) by parliamentary or constitutional procedure

rights that were granted by amendment of the Constitution

b

: an alteration proposed or effected by this process

a constitutional amendment

2

: the act of amending something : correction

3

: a material (such as compost or sand) that aids plant growth indirectly by improving the condition of the soil

soil amendments

Did you know?

What is a constitutional amendment?

An amendment is essentially a correction. It comes in many varieties, up to and including the process of altering something through either parliamentary or constitutional procedure. In the United States, the word is often used specifically of a change to the U.S. Constitution. A constitutional amendment may be proposed by Congress with a two-thirds majority vote in both the Senate and the House of Representatives or through a constitutional convention with majority votes in two-thirds of state legislatures. Once it is ratified by Congress, it must be approved by three-fourths (i.e., 38 of 50) of the states.

Synonyms of amendment

• modification
• alteration
• correction

Examples of amendment in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

Committees have borne subcommittees, which have produced feasibility studies, amendments and hours of debate. — ABC News, 24 July 2026

In yard signs, public comments and campaign ads, supporters of the amendment have deployed pro-direct democracy arguments in their push, arguing that voters should have a say in how justices are chosen. — Kacen Bayless, Kansas City Star, 23 July 2026

The move rejected an amendment aimed at strengthening one of the tax code's post-Watergate safeguards. — Kelly Phillips Erb, Forbes.com, 23 July 2026

Section 106 emphasizes that federal agencies must thoroughly evaluate the impact that amendments to historical landmarks might have before any changes can be made. — News Desk, Artforum, 22 July 2026

Word History

Etymology

see amend

First Known Use

13th century, in the meaning defined at sense 2

Rhymes for amendment

• intendment

Kids Definition

amendment

noun

amend·​ment ə-ˈmen(d)-mənt 

1

: the act or process of amending especially for the better

2

: a change in wording or meaning especially in a law, bill, or motion

Legal Definition

amendment

noun

amend·​ment

1

: an act of amending

especially : an alteration in wording

amendments to cure the defect in the pleading

2

: an alteration proposed or put into effect by parliamentary or constitutional procedure

the Congress…shall propose amendments to this Constitution

—U.S. Constitution art. V