correction

noun

cor·​rec·​tion kə-ˈrek-shən 

1

: the action or an instance of correcting: such as

a

: amendment, rectification

b

: rebuke, punishment

c

: a bringing into conformity with a standard

d

: neutralization, counteraction

correction of acidity

2

: a decline in market price or business activity following and counteracting a rise

3

a

: something substituted in place of what is wrong

marking corrections on the students' papers

b

: a quantity applied by way of correcting (as for adjustment of an instrument)

4

: the treatment and rehabilitation of offenders through a program involving penal custody, parole, and probation

also : the administration of such treatment as a matter of public policy

—usually used in plural

correctional

kə-ˈrek-shnəl 

-shə-nᵊl

adjective

Synonyms

• amendment
• emendation

Examples of correction in a Sentence

The teacher marked corrections on his students' tests.

Please make corrections before handing in your compositions.

the correction of your mistakes

people in need of vision correction

Recent Examples on the Web

United States Steel stock surged nearly 9% during Wednesday’s trading, recovering somewhat from more than a 30% correction in its price from the beginning of the year, after a revival in discussions around the company’s acquisition by Nippon Steel Corporation. —Trefis Team, Forbes, 16 Sep. 2024

The hosts of The View are making some corrections after their comments about Anna Delvey joining this upcoming season of ABC‘s Dancing With the Stars. —Lexy Perez, The Hollywood Reporter, 16 Sep. 2024

There are always going to be corrections after a loss. —Colleen Kane, Chicago Tribune, 15 Sep. 2024

Martinez was appointed a corrections officer to the Salt Lake County Sheriff's Office on Jan. 11. —Anthony Robledo, USA TODAY, 13 Sep. 2024

Word History

First Known Use

14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Phrases Containing correction

• correction fluid
• house of correction

Kids Definition

correction

noun

cor·​rec·​tion kə-ˈrek-shən 

1

: the action or an instance of correcting

2

: a change that makes something right

3

: punishment intended to correct faults of character or behavior

correctional

-shnəl 

-shən-ᵊl

adjective

Medical Definition

correction

noun

cor·​rec·​tion kə-ˈrek-shən 

: the action or an instance of correcting or neutralizing a harmful or undesirable condition

correction of acidity

correction of visual defects with glasses

Legal Definition

correction

noun

cor·​rec·​tion

1

: a decline in market price or business activity following and counteracting a rise

2

: the treatment and rehabilitation of offenders through a program involving penal custody, parole, and probation

—often used in pl.

correctional adjective