amendment

noun

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

City officials and their allies have said those amendments would weaken city government. — Josh Baugh, San Antonio Express-News, "Texas AG warns San Antonio officials about proposed paid sick leave ordinance," 10 July 2018 Officials in Westport, Conn., spent three years drafting a zoning amendment adopted last year that allows for two medical marijuana dispensaries. — Lisa Prevost, New York Times, "Despite State Blessing, Marijuana Dispensaries Face Local Rancor," 3 July 2018 Culture Earlier this month legislators in Maine voted on a bill amendment that would guarantee incarcerated people access to menstrual products. — Glamour, "Politician Votes Against Access to Pads and Tampons in Prison Because It’s Not ‘a Country Club’," 20 Mar. 2019 The bill, which already passed the House, will be sent back with minor amendments. — Cameron Mcwhirter, WSJ, "Georgia Bill to Replace Voting Machines Moves Forward," 13 Mar. 2019 Because of that higher threshold for success, in recent years the cloture vote has essentially become the real vote determining whether a bill or amendment will pass. — Andrew Prokop, Vox, "The nuclear option, explained.," 21 Dec. 2018 Voters in Utah and Missouri approved the drug for medical use, while Michigan voters passed an amendment that legalized cannabis for recreational purposes. — Angela Chen, The Verge, "Three states vote in favor of marijuana," 7 Nov. 2018 Although much of the limelight is on Congressional races and gubernatorial races, US citizens also have the chance to vote on some important initiatives, measures, and amendments that are specific to their state. — Megan Geuss, Ars Technica, "States will vote on these energy and environment issues in midterm elections," 4 Nov. 2018 Queen Elizabeth later issued an amendment of her own to give Prince George's siblings Princess Charlotte and Prince Louis their titles, but Prince Harry's children are technically too far removed from the line of succession to get their own. — Caroline Picard, Good Housekeeping, "Meghan Markle and Prince Harry Are Expecting Their First Child," 15 Oct. 2018

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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14 Apr 2019

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Time Traveler for amendment

The first known use of amendment was in the 13th century

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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