improvement

noun im·prove·ment \ im-ˈprüv-mənt \

|Updated on: 8 Aug 2018

Examples: improvement in a Sentence

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

The latest comprehensive plan for the seven-county area covered economic development, livable communities, protection of natural resources, traffic improvements, and collaboration of all levels of government.

— susan demar lafferty, Daily Southtown, "CMAP plan draws variety of comments," 14 July 2018
Rostov-on-Don got an almost identical aid package as Nizhny Novgorod to spend on infrastructure improvements: new airport terminals and roads, as well as a new stadium that opened in May. But not every project begun for the World Cup was completed.

— ivan nechepurenko, New York Times, "Peeking Around Corners in the World Cup’s Provincial Cities," 14 July 2018
Village officials said both the Speedway and PAL developments are necessary to ensure the completion of intersection improvements at Christina Drive and Route 72.

— erin sauder, Elgin Courier-News, "East Dundee to get another gun range," 13 July 2018
One is that the system will not be able to heal itself from within — true improvement will come only from innovative new entrants driving creative destruction from the outside.

— alexi nazem, STAT, "Health care needs more physician CEOs like Atul Gawande," 13 July 2018
And more planned improvements will be announced this summer when the city unveils its new bike plan.

— sarah gish, kansascity, "Will Kansas City ever be bike-friendly? The city is about to roll out a plan," 13 July 2018
The district first began assessing improvement needs in April of 2015, according to the news release.

— nicole aimone, Milwaukee Journal Sentinel, "Waukesha School Board approves $60 million referendum for district-wide facility improvment," 13 July 2018
The city has spent just under $20 million to construct trailheads, trails and other improvements to the preserve.

— arizona republic, azcentral, "Hiker alert: 3 trailheads getting upgrades in Scottsdale's McDowell Sonoran Preserve," 13 July 2018
The 69th Street Greenway near Lyons Road and Hillsboro Boulevard in Coconut Creek has closed temporarily for beautification improvements.

— dan white, Sun-Sentinel.com, "Coconut Creek greenway closed for beautification work," 12 July 2018

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

in the meaning defined at sense 1

See Words from the same year

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improvement Synonyms

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