alteration

noun

al·​ter·​a·​tion ˌȯl-tə-ˈrā-shən 

plural alterations

1

: the act or process of altering something

The dress needs alteration for a proper fit.

: the state of being altered

2

: the result of changing or altering something: such as

a

: a change made in fitting a garment

no charge for alterations

b

: a change in a legal instrument that alters its legal effect

She made some alterations to her will.

c

: a mineral that has been altered by a chemical process : metasomatism

Synonyms

• change
• difference
• modification
• redoing
• refashioning
• remaking
• remodeling
• revamping
• review
• revise
• revision
• reworking
• variation

Examples of alteration in a Sentence

the alteration of the pattern

They did a good job on the dress alteration.

He made alterations in his will.

Recent Examples on the Web

Williamson downplayed how much extra attention he’s put into his hamstrings over the past few months, but the slight alterations in his routine were already showing Tuesday night. —William Guillory, The Athletic, 8 Jan. 2025

In the next five years, the 102-year-old stadium is going to undergo some significant alterations intended to improve fan experience while retaining the venue’s National Historic Landmark status. —Sam Farmer, Los Angeles Times, 1 Jan. 2025

For Carroll, these transient, yet deeply unsettling, perceptual alterations may have been the inspiration for Alice’s jarring journey. —Mark Travers, Forbes, 28 Dec. 2024

Secretary of the Continental Congress Charles Thomson came up with a design, which, after some alterations, was adopted on June 20, 1782. —Jeanine Santucci, Detroit Free Press, 27 Dec. 2024

Word History

Etymology

Middle English alteracioun "change, transformation," borrowed from Anglo-French & Medieval Latin; Anglo-French alteracion, borrowed from Medieval Latin alterātiōn-, alterātiō, from Late Latin alterāre "to change, alter" + Latin -tiōn-, -tiō, suffix of verbal action

First Known Use

14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Kids Definition

alteration

noun

al·​ter·​ation ˌȯl-tə-ˈrā-shən 

1

a

: the act or process of altering

b

: the state of being altered

2

: the result of altering : modification