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

The department had also made a complaint that alterations had been made to the building without a permit. —Marni Rose McFall, Newsweek, 12 Dec. 2024

The boutique design-build firm does everything from minor home updates to major structural alterations and takes a holistic approach to each project, guiding clients from concept to completion. —Elizabeth Stamp, Architectural Digest, 4 Dec. 2024

But in the next five years, the 102-year-old stadium is going to undergo some significant alterations intended to improve fan experience for sports and entertainment events, while maintaining the iconic elements that make the Rose Bowl a National Historic Landmark. —Houston Mitchell, Los Angeles Times, 3 Dec. 2024

The alterations to the original story lend the movie an edge that other, more straightforward adaptations have lacked. —Declan Gallagher, EW.com, 30 Oct. 2024

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