improvement

noun

im·prove·ment im-ˈprüv-mənt

Synonyms of improvement next

: the act or process of improving

: the state of being improved

especially : enhanced value or excellence

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

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 on the Web In pursuit of self ‘improvement’ as a guest of the state, Manson soaks up a course on Dale Carnegie’s How to Win Friends and Influence People at L.A.’s Terminal Island prison before his 1961 transfer to McNeil Island prison in Puget Sound, Washington State. —

Matt Thompson, Spin, 10 Sep. 2023 Carpenter, the head of American Waterways Operators, said lessons learned last year – including improvements in the Coast Guard’s deployment of navigation buoys to help towboat captains see new shoals or channel patterns – have also bolstered preparations. —

USA TODAY, 10 Sep. 2023 Hugh Freeze talked about still wanting to see improvement from Thorne on RPO plays, and part of that could be choosing to keep the ball himself more — especially when the pass just is not working at all. —

Matt Cohen | McOhen@al.com, al, 10 Sep. 2023 On Thursday, the City of Westminster will begin yet another in a long series of complicated and difficult infrastructure improvement projects. —

Kevin Dayhoff, Baltimore Sun, 9 Sep. 2023 Other improvements, including lithium-free designs with lower fire risks, will be arriving on the grid in a few years. —

Gregory Barber, WIRED, 8 Sep. 2023 There is no exact timeline for completion, but the city hopes to finish improvements by the end of the year. —

Jordan Miller, The Salt Lake Tribune, 8 Sep. 2023 Donaldson entered into an employee improvement program and agreed that personal billing records should be kept separate from city records, according to Meyer. —

Quinlan Bentley, The Enquirer, 8 Sep. 2023 The arrangement was an improvement, but not by much. —

Alexandra Schwartz, The New Yorker, 7 Sep. 2023 See More

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'improvement.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

Word History

First Known Use

circa 1550, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler

The first known use of improvement was circa 1550

See more words from the same year

Dictionary Entries Near improvement

improved wood

improvement

improvement factor

See More Nearby Entries

Cite this Entry

Style

“Improvement.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/improvement. Accessed 23 Sep. 2023.

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Kids Definition

improvement

noun

im·prove·ment im-ˈprüv-mənt

: the act or process of improving

: increased value or excellence

: something that adds to the value or appearance (as of a house)

Legal Definition

improvement

noun

im·prove·ment

: 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