amendment

noun

amend·​ment ə-ˈmen(d)-mənt How to pronounce amendment (audio)
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.

Examples of amendment in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Birthright citizenship is a Constitutional right, clearly articulated in the 14th amendment. Dan Gooding, MSNBC Newsweek, 15 May 2025 There is no language in the draft bill or the amendment that would further exempt Social Security from tax. Kelly Phillips Erb, Forbes.com, 15 May 2025 The amendment also allows later abortions to protect the life or health of pregnant women. David A. Lieb, Chicago Tribune, 15 May 2025 The amendment was ratified in 1868, seven years before the Page Act of 1875 became the nation’s first restrictive immigration law, largely banning the entry of Chinese women. New York Daily News Editorial Board, New York Daily News, 15 May 2025 See All Example Sentences for amendment

Word History

Etymology

see amend

First Known Use

13th century, in the meaning defined at sense 2

Time Traveler
The first known use of amendment was in the 13th century

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Amendment.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/amendment. Accessed 20 May. 2025.

Kids Definition

amendment

noun
amend·​ment ə-ˈmen(d)-mənt How to pronounce amendment (audio)
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 ConstitutionU.S. Constitution art. V

More from Merriam-Webster on amendment

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!