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

On the political front, some form of course correction remains a necessity. —Michael Wahid Hanna, Foreign Affairs, 26 Nov. 2024

Accounting and reporting errors caused earnings corrections for Planet Fitness, Rivian, Mister Car Wash, and others—and also contributed to budget crises for schools and state governments. —Eleanor Pringle, Fortune, 25 Nov. 2024

To contact the newsroom regarding correction requests, please email [e-mail]. —New York Times, 25 Nov. 2024

State of play: In her presentation to the Joint Budget Committee of the Arkansas Legislative Council, Sanders noted the budget proposes more spending on education, maternal health and the state's corrections department. —Worth Sparkman, Axios, 22 Nov. 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