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

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

Miike’s latest film, Blazing Fists, sees the director in fine form telling the tale of two young men who meet in a juvenile corrections facility and leave with the dream to appear on Breaking Down, a popular martial arts competition show. —Scott Phillips, Forbes.com, 1 Aug. 2025

Cassie’s job, though, is to ‘protect the historical record’ and make corrections without picking fights and without correcting people’s opinions of current news. —Diana Arterian august 1, Literary Hub, 1 Aug. 2025

The credo that the government should be run like a corporation is not new, and ICE has for years contracted with private corrections companies and welcomed private-sector expertise, even hiring McKinsey & Company, the consulting firm, for an organizational makeover. —Brent McDonald, New York Times, 31 July 2025

All three officers involved remain on the job as correction officers, according to city records. —Graham Rayman, New York Daily News, 31 July 2025

Word History

First Known Use

14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Phrases Containing correction

• correction fluid
• house of correction

Rhymes for correction

• abjection
• advection
• affection
• bijection
• bisection
• collection
• complexion
• confection
• connection
• connexion
• convection
• defection

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