SINCE 1828

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improvement

noun im·prove·ment \ im-ˈprüv-mənt \

Definition of improvement

1 :the act or process of improving

2 a :the state of being improved; especially :enhanced value or excellence

b :an instance of such improvement :something that enhances value or excellence

See improvement defined for English-language learners

See improvement defined for kids

Examples of improvement in a Sentence

Doctors were amazed by the sudden improvement in her medical condition.
I've noticed a significant improvement in your work since the spring.
The editor made some improvements to the article before it was printed.
They spent the money on new kitchen cabinets and other home improvements.

Recent Examples of improvement from the Web

Another area Kelly singled out for mandatory defensive improvement — and another area Elko’s previous teams have excelled in — is run defense.

— todd burlage, The Seattle Times, "New coordinator hoping less is more for Notre Dame defense," 30 Aug. 2017
At the upper level, the platforms are 10- to 13-feet-wide, a major improvement on the 7-foot-6-inch width of the old stations.

— blair kamin, chicagotribune.com, "First new Loop 'L' station in 20 years creates curvy gateway to Millennium Park," 29 Aug. 2017
Water is supposed to flow west to east through bayous, which are tidal creeks that often have concrete improvements to make water flow and are connected to the Galveston Bay.

— Washington Post, "Houston drainage grid ‘so obsolete it’s just unbelievable’," 29 Aug. 2017
Ryan Cos. wrote that improvements to 5th Avenue station, including incorporating connectivity over and under the tracks and across Washington Street, are envisioned.

— erin hegarty, Naperville Sun, "Questions continue on size, process for Naperville 5th Avenue redevelopment," 29 Aug. 2017
Since 2012, FDA has designated close to 200 drugs as breakthrough therapies, a status that indicates there’s preliminary evidence that an intervention offers a substantial improvement over other options for a serious health condition.

— kai kupferschmidt, Science | AAAS, "All clear for the decisive trial of ecstasy in PTSD patients," 27 Aug. 2017
Its spending reforms could also include inexpensive improvements to veterans’ benefits, a small infrastructure investment, and additional training and support for workers who have lost their manufacturing jobs in recent years.

— james capretta, National Review, "What Might Have Been," 19 Aug. 2017
Kellison said that so far there’s no money for the improvements to the Sprinter route, which has significantly less traffic than the coastal route.

— phil diehl, sandiegouniontribune.com, "Work starts soon on Oceanside 'quiet zone'," 18 Aug. 2017
The citywide rate was 22.92 crimes per 1,000 residents this year, an improvement from last year’s 25.59 crimes per 1,000 in 2016.

— elizabeth marie himchak, Rancho Bernardo, "Rancho Bernardo crime trends show improvement," 17 Aug. 2017

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'improvement.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

First Known Use of improvement

circa 1550

improvement Synonyms

Synonyms

advancement, breakthrough, enhancement, advance, refinement

Antonyms

setback

Related Words

quantum leap; amelioration, boost, heightening, increase, melioration, strengthening, upgrade, uplift, upswing, uptrend, upturn; betterment, development, elaboration, evolution, expansion, gestation, growth, maturation, perfection, ripening; civilization, edification, education, enlightenment; renaissance, renascence, revival; discovery, find, windfall; innovation, invention

Near Antonyms

breakdown, collapse, crash; hindrance, impediment, stumbling block; decadence, decay, declension, decline, decrease, degeneration, descent, deterioration, diminishment, downgrade, ebbing, failing, flagging, languishment, lapse, lessening, reduction, sinking, slowing, weakening, worsening; detriment, disablement, drawback, glitch, impairment, shortcoming

IMPROVEMENT Defined for English Language Learners

improvement

noun

Definition of improvement for English Language Learners

: the act of improving something : the act or process of making something better
: the quality of being better than before
: an addition or change that makes something better or more valuable

IMPROVEMENT Defined for Kids

improvement

noun im·prove·ment \ im-ˈprüv-mənt \

Definition of improvement for Students

1 :the act or process of making something better His cooking needs improvement.

2 :increased value or excellence

I've noticed improvement in your work.

3 :an addition or change that makes something better or more valuable

We made improvements to our house.

Law Dictionary

improvement

noun im·prove·ment

legal Definition of improvement

:a usually permanent addition to or modification of real property that enhances its capital value and is distinguished from an ordinary repair in being designed to make the property more useful or valuable

Learn More about improvement

Thesaurus: All synonyms and antonyms for improvement Spanish Central: Translation of improvement Nglish: Translation of improvement for Spanish speakers Britannica English: Translation of improvement for Arabic speakers

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Examples: improvement in a Sentence