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

Nordstrom Locals are service hubs in convenient locations providing online order pickups, alterations, returns, exchanges, stylists and gift wraps. —David Moin, WWD, 18 Feb. 2025

With ever-so-slight alterations to the script (including the brilliant choice to bring back Rita Moreno, who won an Oscar for her role in the original film), the remake dazzled. —Vogue, 15 Feb. 2025

That doesn’t mean making changes for the sake of making changes, but the NFL commissioner encourages alterations that push the envelope. —Houston Mitchell, Los Angeles Times, 13 Feb. 2025

Elez, a former Space X software engineer, could then make alterations to the Treasury payments system. —Thomas G. Moukawsher, Newsweek, 12 Feb. 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