correction

noun

cor·​rec·​tion kə-ˈrek-shən 

1

: the action or an instance of correcting: such as

a

: amendment, rectification

b

: rebuke, punishment

c

: a bringing into conformity with a standard

d

: neutralization, counteraction

correction of acidity

2

: a decline in market price or business activity following and counteracting a rise

3

a

: something substituted in place of what is wrong

marking corrections on the students' papers

b

: a quantity applied by way of correcting (as for adjustment of an instrument)

4

: the treatment and rehabilitation of offenders through a program involving penal custody, parole, and probation

also : the administration of such treatment as a matter of public policy

—usually used in plural

correctional

kə-ˈrek-shnəl 

-shə-nᵊl

adjective

Synonyms

• amendment
• emendation

Examples of correction in a Sentence

The teacher marked corrections on his students' tests.

Please make corrections before handing in your compositions.

the correction of your mistakes

people in need of vision correction

Recent Examples on the Web

Viera Rosa has shown little intention to move them, frustrating corrections board members, who have repeatedly said the agency’s facilities are dangerous for young people. —Rebecca Ellis, Los Angeles Times, 6 Dec. 2024

Gary Mohr served as the Director of the Ohio Department of Rehabilitation and Correction from 2011-2018 and has spent nearly 50 years working in corrections. —Jason Fields, Newsweek, 4 Dec. 2024

The previous misprint on the packaging in no way impacts the value or play experience provided by the product itself in the limited number of units sold before the correction. —Raechal Shewfelt, EW.com, 4 Dec. 2024

During the commercial break, however, Rob’s teammate (and freelance Entertainment Weekly journalist) Jordan called for a correction. —Liza Esquibias, People.com, 4 Dec. 2024

Word History

First Known Use

14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Phrases Containing correction

• correction fluid
• house of correction

Kids Definition

correction

noun

cor·​rec·​tion kə-ˈrek-shən 

1

: the action or an instance of correcting

2

: a change that makes something right

3

: punishment intended to correct faults of character or behavior

correctional

-shnəl 

-shən-ᵊl

adjective

Medical Definition

correction

noun

cor·​rec·​tion kə-ˈrek-shən 

: the action or an instance of correcting or neutralizing a harmful or undesirable condition

correction of acidity

correction of visual defects with glasses

Legal Definition

correction

noun

cor·​rec·​tion

1

: a decline in market price or business activity following and counteracting a rise

2

: the treatment and rehabilitation of offenders through a program involving penal custody, parole, and probation

—often used in pl.

correctional adjective