alteration

noun al·ter·ation \ ˌȯl-tə-ˈrā-shən \

Updated on: 14 Apr 2018

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

She made some alterations to her will.

See alteration defined for English-language learners

See alteration defined for kids

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 of alteration from the Web

Construction project manager Donald VanWhervin said progress was slowed by hurricanes and unanticipated alterations to 11,000 feet of sewer lines.

— wayne k. roustan, Sun-Sentinel.com, "Delayed by weather, sewer lines, State Road 7 construction grinds on," 30 Mar. 2018
So long as a genetic alteration could have been bred in a plant—say a simple deletion, base pair swap, or insertion from a reproductively compatible relative—it won’t be regulated.

— megan molteni, WIRED, "Crispr’d Food, Coming Soon to a Supermarket Near You," 30 Mar. 2018
Unless a program can prove that admitting a child with a disability would cause an undue burden or require a fundamental alteration, the school, camp, or child care center must make reasonable accommodations.

— josh kovner, courant.com, "Large Child Care Company Settles With U.S. Over Policy Of Excluding Kids With Diabetes," 29 Mar. 2018
The legacy of that time is that people with similarly radical alterations of self are viewed with distrust.

— naomi fry, The New Yorker, "How a Young Woman Lost Her Identity," 26 Mar. 2018
Meanwhile, exchanges are also constantly changing—with software alterations requiring investors to be wary of updates.

— lucinda shen, Fortune, "These Cryptocurrencies May Beat Bitcoin in the Coming Months," 22 Feb. 2018
However, scientists do know that alterations to California's coastline and a historic drop in predators like sharks helped stingray populations grow over the past 50 years.

— National Geographic, "What's Behind a Surge in Stingray Attacks?," 5 Jan. 2018
And the coach and his former Miami Heat cheerleader wife had to wait for major alterations to be completed on the 1953 house, according to notices of commencement, including a new roof.

— jose lambiet, miamiherald, "With baby on the way, Erik Spoelstra and his wife needed more space, so here’s what they did | Miami Herald," 23 Mar. 2018
The girls also have access to a seamstress for on-site alterations.

— vagney bradley, Houston Chronicle, "Dress program turns girls into princesses for prom," 22 Mar. 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.

Origin and Etymology of alteration

see alter

NEW! Time Traveler

First Known Use: 14th century

in the meaning defined at sense 1

See Words from the same year

alteration Synonyms

Synonyms

change, difference, modification, redoing, refashioning, remaking, remodeling, revamping, review, revise, revision, reworking, variation;

Antonyms

fixation, stabilization;

conversion, deformation, distortion, metamorphosis, mutation, transfiguration, transformation;

fluctuation, oscillation, shift;

displacement, replacement, substitution;

adjustment, modulation, regulation, tweak;

redesign, redo;

ALTERATION Defined for English Language Learners

alteration

noun

Definition of alteration for English Language Learners

: the act, process, or result of changing or altering something

ALTERATION Defined for Kids

alteration

noun al·ter·ation \ ˌȯl-tə-ˈrā-shən \

Definition of alteration for Students

1 : the act or process of changing something

She began alteration of the design.

2 : the result of changing : modification

a minor alteration

Learn More about alteration

See words that rhyme with alteration Thesaurus: All synonyms and antonyms for alteration Spanish Central: Translation of alteration Nglish: Translation of alteration for Spanish speakers Britannica English: Translation of alteration for Arabic speakers

Seen and Heard

What made you want to look up alteration? Please tell us where you read or heard it (including the quote, if possible).

show

alteration

Definition of alteration

Examples of alteration in a Sentence

Recent Examples of alteration from the Web

Origin and Etymology of alteration

alteration Synonyms

Synonyms

Antonyms

Related Words

ALTERATION Defined for English Language Learners

alteration

Definition of alteration for English Language Learners

ALTERATION Defined for Kids

alteration

Definition of alteration for Students

Learn More about alteration

Seen and Heard

Love words? Need even more definitions?

Love words? Need even more definitions?

Words at Play

Ask the Editors

Word Games

The Fossil Encased in "Case In Point"

Trending: 'Venom' Trailer Drives Searches for 'Symbiote'

Going Greek: 7 Words from the Greek Alphabet

Odd Habits and Quirks Quiz

2017 Word of the Year: Behind the Scenes