alteration

noun

al·ter·ation | \ ˌȯl-tə-ˈrā-shən

plural alterations

Definition of alteration

1 : the act or process of altering something The dress needs alteration for a proper fit. : the state of being altered

2 : the result of changing or altering something: such as

a : a change made in fitting a garment no charge for alterations

b : a change in a legal instrument that alters its legal effect She made some alterations to her will.

c : a mineral that has been altered by a chemical process : metasomatism

Synonyms & Antonyms More Example Sentences Learn More about alteration

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Examples of alteration in a Sentence

the alteration of the pattern They did a good job on the dress alteration. He made alterations in his will.

Recent Examples on the Web

Think about whether the recipe should even be changed Not every baked good is amenable to alterations. — Becky Krystal, The Denver Post, "How to swap baking pan sizes without ruining your recipe," 3 July 2019 The insurer wants to block Carman’s $85,000 claim on the sunken vessel, alleging that Carman made alterations to the boat in a deliberate attempt to sink it with his mother on board. — Travis Andersen, BostonGlobe.com, "Nathan Carman lawsuit in R.I. slated for trial in August," 18 June 2019 While many are purists (typically deriding whatever change Porsche made to the car that followed theirs), the enduring success of mod shops like Singer, Guntherwerks, and Magnus Walkerson shows there’s plenty of appetite for alterations. — Alex Davies, WIRED, "A Very Fast Spin Through the Hills in a Hybrid Porsche 911," 10 June 2019 This limits the scope for substantial alterations to the deal. — Jason Douglas, WSJ, "U.K. Parliament Repudiates Theresa May’s Brexit Plan," 15 Jan. 2019 Currently, each community cat alteration is done by outsourcing to private vet clinics. — Laurel Deppen, The Courier-Journal, "Trap-neuter-return program helps Alley Cat Advocates ease Louisville's stray issue," 4 June 2019 Take hand-me-downs out for a spin and add your own touch with some tailoring and alterations — there's power in personalization. — Randon Rosenbohm, Allure, "What May’s Aries Horoscope Means for You," 30 Apr. 2019 In the best case scenario, the DWP hopes to be done with alterations by 2028, and the technology, at least on paper, seems possible. — David Grossman, Popular Mechanics, "The Hoover Dam Changed America—And It Might Do It Again," 27 July 2018 Some questioned whether the envisioned standards would be too stringent and whether other alterations should be considered. — Luke Money, latimes.com, "Costa Mesa Planning Commission will again review proposed changes to city small-lot ordinance," 29 May 2018

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