alteration

noun al·ter·ation \ ˌȯl-tə-ˈrā-shən \

|Updated on: 17 Aug 2018

Examples: alteration in a Sentence

Definition of alteration

plural alterations

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

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

Consumer companies method look for changes in tiny segments of genes, rather than examining the entire gene and looking for alterations.

— gina kolata, New York Times, "The Online Gene Test Finds a Dangerous Mutation. It May Well Be Wrong.," 2 July 2018
Fitch Ratings said last year that alterations to the act risk damaging the nation’s credibility.

— matthew bristow, Bloomberg.com, "Meteoric Rise Lifts D.C. Commuter to Cusp of Colombia’s Presidency," 3 May 2018
The shift is another testament to Trump's alteration of the GOP.

— callum borchers, Washington Post, "Trump was 'too controversial' for CPAC in 2016. Now a Le Pen will address the conservative conference.," 20 Feb. 2018
The buildings also have lower roof heights and fewer egresses onto surrounding roads, two other alterations requested by community members.

— libby solomon, baltimoresun.com, "Widespread support, a couple passionate detractors at Bosley Estates public meeting," 12 July 2018
Any number of possibilities — strike zone changes, mound height changes, alterations to the composition of the baseball — could alter the dynamic.

— alex speier, BostonGlobe.com, "What’s up with all the strikeouts in Major League Baseball?," 12 July 2018
But Winkleman insists that the analog measurements, while infinitely slower than modern tools like laser scanners, produce a far more accurate model—a kind of gold master for any future replications or alterations of that weapon.

— adam fisher, WIRED, "A Landmark Legal Shift Opens Pandora’s Box for DIY Guns," 10 July 2018
City officials last week accepted an application to the Cultural Heritage Commission to officially recognize the buildings, now owned by Onni Group, as historic-cultural monuments and put a temporary stay on demolition and substantial alterations.

— roger vincent, latimes.com, "Preservationists call for historic status for Los Angeles Times buildings, threatening redevelopment plans," 4 July 2018
Renovations during the 1950s and 1960s necessitated major alterations to the original design.

— joan hunt, Courant Community, "Dynamic Webb House Garden: More Than Just A Pretty Face," 3 July 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

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alteration

Definition of alteration

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Origin and Etymology of alteration

alteration Synonyms

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ALTERATION Defined for English Language Learners

alteration

Definition of alteration for English Language Learners

ALTERATION Defined for Kids

alteration

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