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
• redoing
• refashioning
• remaking
• remodeling
• revamping
• review
• revise
• revision
• reworking
• variation

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

The non-dairy milk surcharge varied from market to market, but a statement from the coffee chain said this Thursday, when the surcharge is officially retired, almost half of the customers who get beverage modifications will see prices down more than 10%. —Megan Poinski, Forbes, 4 Nov. 2024

Lifestyle modifications: Healthy lifestyle choices, including a healthy diet, avoiding alcohol, engaging in regular physical activity, and maintaining a healthy body weight, can improve and protect your liver health. —Lindsay Curtis, Health, 25 Oct. 2024

GetResponse allows for more design modifications than even competitors such as Mailchimp. —PCMAG, 22 Oct. 2024

Without the show’s fatal modifications, Squid Game just that: a game. —Proma Khosla, IndieWire, 19 Oct. 2024

Word History

First Known Use

1603, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Phrases Containing modification

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

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