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

There are absolutely no alterations in the story line of Born Yesterday, which is the account of Harry Brock, who climbs to the top of the junk business and proposes now to form an international cartel with the help of his drunken lawyer and a crooked congressman. —Thr Staff, The Hollywood Reporter, 25 Dec. 2024

Also, the alterations may not go far enough to satisfy the banks’ concerns about onerous capital requirements. —Sara Eisen, CNBC, 24 Dec. 2024

The storyline alteration drew criticism from Chanel Stewart, an 18-year-old transgender actor who voiced the transgender character. —Daniel Arkin, NBC News, 18 Dec. 2024

Reis Contracting offers a variety of services to help clients from the beginning of the project to the end, including pre-construction assistance, maintenance services, and alterations. —Elizabeth Stamp, Architectural Digest, 4 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