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

Many reviewers, including petite shoppers, note that the pants hit at just the right length without needing alterations, and the inseam works well with both flats and heels. —Toni Sutton, PEOPLE, 4 May 2026

He was also not included in Villa’s Europa League squad, with the club only allowed to make three alterations ahead of the knockout phase, with January signings Tammy Abraham and Douglas Luiz, plus the return of Leon Bailey, included. —Jacob Tanswell, New York Times, 4 May 2026

But with the lottery alterations, trades and free agency again will return to a forefront that allowed the Heat to return to the forefront for the majority of these three decades of Riley rule. —Ira Winderman, Sun Sentinel, 30 Apr. 2026

Michigan needs to set aside more money towards repair, removal and alterations needed to keep aging dam infrastructure safe, according to a new report. —Paula Wethington, CBS News, 28 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