modification

noun

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

1

: the limiting of a statement : qualification

with some modifications this statement is true today

—J. B. Conant

2

: mode entry 1 sense 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 sense 1) of the meaning of a word by another word, by an affix, or by internal change

Synonyms

• alteration
• change
• difference

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 on the Web

While commissioners were scheduled to vote on a modification of the county’s existing ICE agreement, there was a last-minute move to delay that vote indefinitely. —Douglas Hanks, Miami Herald, 28 June 2025

The Medi-Cal modifications mark a retreat from California's ambitious universal healthcare expansion, which had made the state a national leader in providing comprehensive health coverage regardless of immigration status. —Adeola Adeosun, MSNBC Newsweek, 28 June 2025

The league’s rule modifications address what Piqué sees as fundamental problems with traditional football. —Massimo Marioni, Fortune, 27 June 2025

Knighton says the dad also could have gone to court to file a motion for a modification to get final decision-making over mental health concerns. —Sherri Gordon, Parents, 23 June 2025

Word History

First Known Use

1603, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Phrases Containing modification

• behavioral modification
• behavior modification
• genetic modification
• pre-modification

Rhymes for modification

• abbreviation
• abomination
• acceleration
• accentuation
• accommodation
• accreditation
• acculturation
• accumulation
• acetylation
• adjudication
• administration
• adulteration

Kids Definition

modification

noun

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

1

a

: the act of modifying

b

: the state of being modified

2

: the limiting of a statement : qualification

3

: the result of modifying : partial change

modification of plans

Medical Definition

modification

noun

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

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