modification

American  

[mod-uh-fi-key-shuhn] / ˌmɒd ə fɪˈkeɪ ʃən /

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.

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modification British  

/ 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

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modification Scientific  

/ mŏd′ə-fĭ-kā′shən /

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

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Other Word Forms

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

Etymology

Origin of modification

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

Example Sentences

The modifications, though, are likely to assuage some fears among Venezuelans that the U.S. would take over the country’s most prized assets.

From The Wall Street Journal

The Marine Department told AFP last year it had amended marine safety laws and set up a dedicated team to "strictly review" vessel construction and modification.

From Barron's

“On some level, this decision is not particularly surprising, as it always seemed unlikely that the STB would accept the UP-NS merger filing outright with no requested modifications.”

From Barron's

New rules for 2026 see aerodynamic changes to make cars lighter and smaller along with modifications to engine specifications to make for a greater contribution from electric power in the hybrid units.

From Barron's

It has had so few modifications because it is a very effective law.

From BBC

Related Words

• adjustment
• alteration
• conversion