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

The Avs would have to make further alterations if captain Gabe Landeskog ($7 million cap hit) is able to play at some point during the regular season. Drury, who turns 25 next month, has three goals and nine points in 39 games this season while averaging 12:53 of ice time. —Corey Masisak, The Denver Post, 24 Jan. 2025

The alteration did not go unnoticed on Chinese social media. —Raul A. Reyes, Newsweek, 22 Jan. 2025

Again, these changes are only in the US, and other regions like Asia where gacha games are immensely popular would have to make no further alterations. —Paul Tassi, Forbes, 18 Jan. 2025

The allergen alterations focused on peanut, tree nut, shellfish and milk allergens, prosecutors said. —Louis Casiano, Fox News, 13 Jan. 2025

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