modification

American  

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

noun

modifications plural

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

Derived Forms

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

Inflected Forms

Nouns

• modifications
  plural

Etymology

Origin of modification

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

Explanation

A modification is a change or alteration, usually to make something work better. If you want to change something — in other words, modify it — you need to make a modification. Lots of things require modification, because they get older or just because they can be improved. A car needs modification — in the form of snow tires — to be ready for the winter. Computer programs need modification all the time, because of new products or viruses. When you think of the word modification, think "change."

Example Sentences

"This doesn't preclude some relatively minor modification of the fiscal rules to allow somewhat more borrowing for investment, but not for current spending," he said.

From Barron's • Jun. 23, 2026

Tiny cellular antennas mounted atop the viewers became the only obvious visual modification.

From The Wall Street Journal • Jun. 14, 2026

Law enforcement officials also point out that any type of modification to e-bikes might not just be dangerous, but can also transform the e-bike into a motorcycle or moped under California law.

From Los Angeles Times • Jun. 10, 2026

This simple modification allows atoms to behave differently from one another while preserving enough structure for the system to remain controllable and predictable.

From Science Daily • Jun. 6, 2026

Usually, linguistic change is a crucial marker of a modification in the way in which people think—it both facilitates that change and makes it easier for us to recognize it.

From "The Invention of Science" by David Wootton

Related Words

• adjustment
• alteration
• conversion