modification

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noun mod·i·fi·ca·tion \ ˌmä-də-fə-ˈkā-shən \

Definition of modification

1 :the limiting of a statement :qualification

with some modifications this statement is true today
—J. B. Conant

2 :¹mode 6a

3 a :the making of a limited change in something

making the exactly minimum degree of modification to her institutions necessary to fit them to new conditions
—John Strachey

; also :the result of such a change

b :a change in an organism caused by environmental factors

4 :a limitation or qualification (see qualification 1) of the meaning of a word by another word, by an affix, or by internal change

See modification defined for English-language learners

See modification defined for kids

Examples of modification in a Sentence

The program can be used on all computers without modification.
They passed the law with only a few minor modifications.
The weather required some major modifications to our travel plans.

Recent Examples of modification from the Web

In 2015, Madison agreed to a loan modification that required her to pay $693.68 monthly, according to Jefferson Circuit Court records.

— bailey loosemore, The Courier-Journal, "'It happened so fast': Louisville family fights foreclosure to stay in trendy neighborhood," 15 Aug. 2017
Modifications to that law, designed to protect patients who didn't know all their options, were signed into law by Gov. Bruce Rauner last year after an emotional Illinois Senate subcommittee hearing that drew testimony from patients.

— steve schmadeke, chicagotribune.com, "Federal court judge halts enforcement of Illinois abortion notification law," 4 Aug. 2017
Additionally, ongoing work to apply CRISPR to adult cells may generate new treatments for diseases such as cancer and diabetes without the ethical concerns of embryo modification.

— james kath, Scientific American Blog Network, "Brave New World? Not Even Close," 2 Aug. 2017
Two further modifications of CRISPR-Cas9 gene drives may help.

— The Economist, "Gene drivesA promising means of pest control meets some evolutionary truths," 22 July 2017
Loveland road, light improvements Turn lane modifications are in place at the intersection of Karl Brown Way and West Loveland Avenue in Downtown Loveland.

— sheila vilvens, Cincinnati.com, "Clermont County Roundup: County Fair fun, a land battle, road and light improvements in Loveland," 20 July 2017
So new—and likely controversial—methods are needed, perhaps including genetic modifications that prevent predators from reproducing.

— april reese, Science | AAAS, "New Zealand aims to eradicate invasive predators, but winning public support may be big challenge," 10 July 2017
Wells Fargo allegedly attached loan-modification letters to payment-change notices, forms routinely filed in Chapter 13 bankruptcy cases to authorize preapproved adjustments.

— amanda dixon, The Seattle Times, "How to protect yourself from unauthorized mortgage modifications," 8 July 2017
Often, though, Clinton’s version of the idea lacks edges; it has been translated into the vapid coinage of American political discourse—and is subject to further modification.

— joe klein, Daily Intelligencer, "Bill Clinton: Who Is This Guy?," 30 June 2017

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

First Known Use of modification

1603

modification Synonyms

Synonyms

alteration, difference, change, redoing, refashioning, remaking, remodeling, revamping, review, revise, revision, reworking, variation

Antonyms

fixation, stabilization

MODIFICATION Defined for English Language Learners

modification

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noun

Definition of modification for English Language Learners

: the act or process of changing parts of something : the act or process of modifying something
: a change in something (such as a system or style)

MODIFICATION Defined for Kids

modification

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noun mod·i·fi·ca·tion \ ˌmä-də-fə-ˈkā-shən \

Definition of modification for Students

1 :the act or process of changing parts of something

2 :a slightly changed form

Medical Dictionary

modification

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noun mod·i·fi·ca·tion \ ˌmäd-ə-fə-ˈkā-shən \

medical Definition of modification

1 :the act or result of modifying something

2 :a change in an organism that is not inherited and that is caused by the influence of its environment

Learn More about modification

See words that rhyme with modification Thesaurus: All synonyms and antonyms for modification Spanish Central: Translation of modification Nglish: Translation of modification for Spanish speakers Britannica English: Translation of modification for Arabic speakers Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about modification

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modification

Definition of modification

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Examples of modification in a Sentence

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First Known Use of modification

modification Synonyms

Synonyms

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MODIFICATION Defined for English Language Learners

modification

Definition of modification for English Language Learners

MODIFICATION Defined for Kids

modification

Definition of modification for Students

Medical Dictionary

modification

medical Definition of modification

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