alteration

American  

[awl-tuh-rey-shuhn] / ˌɔl təˈreɪ ʃən /

noun

1. the act or process of altering; the state of being altered.

   Alteration will improve the dress.

2. a change; modification or adjustment.

   There has been an alteration in our plans.

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alteration British  

/ ˌɔːltəˈreɪʃən /

noun

1. an adjustment, change, or modification

2. the act of altering or state of being altered

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Other Word Forms

• prealteration noun
• proalteration adjective
• realteration noun

Etymology

Origin of alteration

First recorded in 1350–1400; Middle English alteracioun, from Medieval Latin alterātiōn-, stem of alterātiō; equivalent to alter + -ation

Example Sentences

Construction expanded for a third straight month, with broad growth in January and a further rise in residential building, driven by investment in alterations and improvements.

From The Wall Street Journal

By studying these samples, the team identified key genetic alterations that drive cancer in cats and found that many of these changes closely resemble those seen in human cancers.

From Science Daily

That dispute is settled, without major alteration to the Senate’s character.

From The Wall Street Journal

These alterations may affect how the body handles glucose and could increase the risk of developing diabetes.

From Science Daily

One major alteration is how the death of Scarpetta’s father impacts her future career.

From Los Angeles Times

Related Words

• adjustment
• amendment
• conversion
• diversification
• modification
• mutation
• revision
• transformation
• variance
• variation