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

• modification
• alteration
• correction

Examples of amendment in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

The legislation includes a state constitutional amendment and a call for a special election on Nov. 4. —Julia Mueller, The Hill, 18 Aug. 2025

Democrats in the state Senate have proposed a constitutional amendment to permit mid-decade redistricting, but this would require a referendum that could only be held in 2027 at the earliest, City and State reported. —Zachary Folk, Forbes.com, 18 Aug. 2025

Tarrant County Commissioners will consider cutting the number of voting locations for the Nov. 4, 2025, constitutional amendment election and the special election to decide the Senate District 9 representative. —Rachel Royster, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 18 Aug. 2025

The Legislature must still approve the maps, a constitutional amendment and a special election next week for the redistricting proposition to make it onto the ballot. —Kate Wolffe, Sacbee.com, 16 Aug. 2025

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