modification

[ mod-uh-fi-key-shuhn ]
/ ˌmɒd ə fɪˈkeɪ ʃən /
SEE SYNONYMS FOR modification ON THESAURUS.COM

noun

an act or instance of modifying.
the state of being modified; partial alteration.
a modified form; variety.
Biology. a change in a living organism acquired from its own activity or environment and not transmitted to its descendants.
limitation or qualification.
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 amodifier, 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.

QUIZZES

IS YOUR VOCABULARY AS STRONG AS A HIGH SCHOOL STUDENT? TRY THIS QUIZ TO SEE!

It may seem like fun and games but this quiz that uses vocab from popular stories will determine how much you know.
Question 1 of 10
disgruntle
to deprive of ability, qualification, or strength
to put into a state of sulky dissatisfaction
to make repayment or return for (service, benefits, etc.)
TAKE THE QUIZ TO FIND OUT

Origin of modification

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

OTHER WORDS FROM modification

in·ter·mod·i·fi·ca·tion, nouno·ver·mod·i·fi·ca·tion, nounpre·mod·i·fi·ca·tion, nounre·mod·i·fi·ca·tion, noun

Words nearby modification

MODFET, modge, modicum, modif., modificand, modification, modificatory, modified American plan, modified radical mastectomy, modified-release, modifier
Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2020

Words related to modification

conversion, adjustment, alteration, correction, adaptation, change, refitting

Example sentences from the Web for modification

British Dictionary definitions for modification

modification
/ (ˌmɒdɪfɪˈkeɪʃən) /

noun

the act of modifying or the condition of being modified
something modified; the result of a modification
a small change or adjustment
grammar the relation between a modifier and the word or phrase that it modifies

Derived forms of modification

modificatory or modificative, adjective
Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

Medical definitions for modification

modification
[ mŏd′ə-fĭ-kā′shən ]

n.

Any of the changes in an organism that are caused by environment or activity and are not genetically transmissable to offspring.
The American Heritage® Stedman's Medical Dictionary Copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Company.

Scientific definitions for modification

modification
[ mŏd′ə-fĭ-kā′shən ]

A change in an organism that results from external influences and cannot be inherited.
The American Heritage® Science Dictionary Copyright © 2011. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. All rights reserved.