modification

[mod-uh-fi-key-shuhn]

noun

1. an act or instance of modifying.

2. the state of being modified; partial alteration.

3. a modified form; variety.

4. Biology.,  a change in a living organism acquired from its own activity or environment and not transmitted to its descendants.

5. limitation or qualification.

6. Grammar.

   1. the use of a modifier in a construction, or of modifiers in a class of constructions or in a language.

   2. the meaning of a modifier, especially as it affects the meaning of the word or other form modified.

      Limitation is one kind of modification.

   3. a change in the phonological shape of a morpheme, word, or other form when it functions as an element in a construction, as the change of not to -n't in doesn't.

   4. an adjustment in the form of a word as it passes from one language to another.

modification

/ ˌmɒdɪfɪˈkeɪʃən /

noun

1. the act of modifying or the condition of being modified

2. something modified; the result of a modification

3. a small change or adjustment

4. grammar the relation between a modifier and the word or phrase that it modifies

modification

1. A change in an organism that results from external influences and cannot be inherited.

Other Word Forms

• modificatory adjective
• intermodification noun
• overmodification noun
• premodification noun
• remodification noun

Word History and Origins

Origin of modification¹

1495–1505; < Latin modificātiōn- (stem of modificātiō ), equivalent to modificāt ( us ) (past participle of modificāre; modify ) + -iōn- -ion

Example Sentences

The legal action alleges that California’s new law essentially bans the sale of certain Glock-brand handguns and others with similar features that allow modification by owners.

Read more on Los Angeles Times

The MIT team is now working on further improving the efficiency of prime editors, through further modifications of Cas9 and the RNA template.

Read more on Science Daily

"All of the modifications were very much about speed and acceleration," said forensic investigator PC Matt Rue.

Read more on BBC

“At Asilomar, we had identified the genetic modification of humans as the biggest coming issue,” Baltimore said.

Read more on Los Angeles Times

Gustavson was jailed for life with a minimum term of 22 years at the Old Bailey in 2024 for leading an extreme body modification ring.

Read more on BBC

Related Words

• adjustment 
• alteration 
• conversion