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 authors go on to outline models for capturing value with them: premium pricing, charges for upgrades, complementary products, monetizing maintenance, brand communities, and resale and modification. —Vijay Govindarajan, tojin T. Eapen, daniel J. Finkenstadt, Harvard Business Review, 1 Nov. 2024

Non-dairy milk has become the second most common order modification at Starbucks, behind adding a shot of espresso. —Nathaniel Meyersohn, CNN, 30 Oct. 2024

During a 1939 modification, workers unearthed the iron coffin of Mary Elizabeth Tisdall, who died in 1850 at age 6. —Christina Ray Stanton, Smithsonian Magazine, 28 Oct. 2024

As part of the settlement, Walmart agreed to continue operating and maintaining its hazardous waste programs and make modifications necessary to comply with changes in California’s Hazardous Waste Control Law. —Olga R. Rodriguez, Fortune, 24 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