amendment

noun

amend·​ment ə-ˈmen(d)-mənt 

1

a

: the process of altering or amending a law or document (such as a constitution) by parliamentary or constitutional procedure

rights that were granted by amendment of the Constitution

b

: an alteration proposed or effected by this process

a constitutional amendment

2

: the act of amending something : correction

3

: a material (such as compost or sand) that aids plant growth indirectly by improving the condition of the soil

soil amendments

Did you know?

What is a constitutional amendment?

An amendment is essentially a correction. It comes in many varieties, up to and including the process of altering something through either parliamentary or constitutional procedure. In the United States, the word is often used specifically of a change to the U.S. Constitution. A constitutional amendment may be proposed by Congress with a two-thirds majority vote in both the Senate and the House of Representatives or through a constitutional convention with majority votes in two-thirds of state legislatures. Once it is ratified by Congress, it must be approved by three-fourths (i.e., 38 of 50) of the states.

Synonyms of amendment

• modification
• alteration
• correction

Examples of amendment in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

Plus, there’s the prospect of another spending war over a marijuana ballot amendment. —Claire Heddles, Miami Herald, 26 Dec. 2025

The amendment also says that anyone who serves more than two years of another president’s term can only be elected once. —Tiffani Jackson, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 26 Dec. 2025

In order to green-light provisions of the agreement reached, the council voted through a general plan amendment, zone change and a density bonus housing agreement. —Victoria Le, Oc Register, 24 Dec. 2025

Commissioners approved the amendment with concessions in November, and now the district and Sterling Ranch have agreed on a final plan. —Olivia Young, CBS News, 23 Dec. 2025

Word History

Etymology

see amend

First Known Use

13th century, in the meaning defined at sense 2

Rhymes for amendment

• intendment

Kids Definition

amendment

noun

amend·​ment ə-ˈmen(d)-mənt 

1

: the act or process of amending especially for the better

2

: a change in wording or meaning especially in a law, bill, or motion

Legal Definition

amendment

noun

amend·​ment

1

: an act of amending

especially : an alteration in wording

amendments to cure the defect in the pleading

2

: an alteration proposed or put into effect by parliamentary or constitutional procedure

the Congress…shall propose amendments to this Constitution

—U.S. Constitution art. V