amendment

amend·ment | \ ə-ˈmen(d)-mənt

Definition of amendment

1a : 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

Synonyms What is a constitutional amendment? More Example Sentences Learn More about amendment

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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.

Examples of amendment in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web The Senate’s last vote was to concur on an amendment to Senate Bill 375 made in the Ohio House that would create a working group to study and recommend protocols for the safe and hygienic operation of county fairs and other festivals. — cleveland, "Lawmakers send Gov. Mike DeWine a bill reversing his order to limit county fairs during coronavirus outbreak," 18 Dec. 2020 The City Council is likely to vote on the second amendment to the agreement at a special council meeting after the Dec. 15 Committee of the Whole meeting. — Steve Lord, chicagotribune.com, "Aurora official says Copley redevelopment amendment matter of timing, not more money," 11 Dec. 2020 Louisiana voters will head to the polls once again this weekend to vote on a statewide constitutional amendment, an Orleans district attorney, school board members and more. — Emma Discher, NOLA.com, "Dec. 5 election: When to vote, what's on the ballot in New Orleans area, how to find results, more," 4 Dec. 2020 To avoid that outcome, shareholders’ fervent hope is that Mnuchin and Calabria before Jan. 20 come to terms on an amendment to Fannie’s and Freddie’s bailout agreements that Biden can’t unwind. — Joe Light, Bloomberg.com, "Fannie-Freddie Plan Could Face Race to Finish After Biden’s Win," 9 Nov. 2020 Mayor Ted Wheeler, who is also police commissioner, was one of three commissioners who voted last week to delay a vote on the budget amendment until after Tuesday's election. — Gillian Flaccus, USA TODAY, "Portland rejects bid to cut $18 million more from police amid months of racial justice protests," 6 Nov. 2020 Mayor Ted Wheeler, who is also police commissioner, was one of three commissioners who voted last week to delay a vote on the budget amendment until after Tuesday's election. — Gillian Flaccus, Star Tribune, "Portland, Oregon rejects bid to cut $18M more from police," 5 Nov. 2020 But public opinion on the amendment does not fall neatly along party lines. — Washington Post, "Virginians vote on turning redistricting over to bipartisan commission," 3 Nov. 2020 Business for a Fair Minimum Wage, which includes restaurants, manufacturers, hoteliers and clothing boutiques, was formed in the months before the Nov. 3 election when Floridians will decide on the amendment. — Caroline Glenn, orlandosentinel.com, "Not all Florida businesses oppose Amendment 2 to raise the minimum wage to $15," 23 Oct. 2020

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'amendment.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

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Last Updated

18 Jan 2021

Cite this Entry

“Amendment.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/amendment. Accessed 27 Jan. 2021.

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More Definitions for amendment

amendment

noun

amend·ment | \ ə-ˈmend-mənt

Kids Definition of amendment

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

amendment

noun

amend·ment

Legal Definition of amendment

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

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