alteration

noun

al·​ter·​a·​tion ˌȯl-tə-ˈrā-shən 

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

Synonyms of alteration

• change
• difference
• modification

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

Nordstrom, North America’s largest employer of tailors and alteration specialists, teamed up with New York’s Fashion Institute of Technology to launch a nine-week program in advanced sewing and alteration techniques. —Anne D'innocenzio, Boston Herald, 12 Apr. 2026

Customers can walk out with a suit in as little as 30 minutes or up to a few days for off-the-rack purchases with minor alterations. —Mary Divine, Twin Cities, 11 Apr. 2026

The review stage has now arrived, with three meetings now scheduled for the coming weeks that should define what will change for F1 in 2026 and lay the groundwork for greater alterations from 2027. —Luke Smith, New York Times, 8 Apr. 2026

The total cost, beyond the dramatic, narrative, legal, and emotional alterations? —Kate Erbland, IndieWire, 8 Apr. 2026

Word History

Etymology

Middle English alteracioun "change, transformation," borrowed from Anglo-French & Medieval Latin; Anglo-French alteracion, borrowed from Medieval Latin alterātiōn-, alterātiō, from Late Latin alterāre "to change, alter" + Latin -tiōn-, -tiō, suffix of verbal action

First Known Use

14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Rhymes for alteration

• abdication
• aberration
• abjuration
• abnegation
• abrogation
• acceptation
• acclamation
• acclimation
• accusation
• activation
• actuation
• acylation

Kids Definition

alteration

noun

al·​ter·​ation ˌȯl-tə-ˈrā-shən 

1

a

: the act or process of altering

b

: the state of being altered

2

: the result of altering : modification