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; 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

Doricko said there’s no chance Rainmaker’s actions — which were contracted by the nonprofit South Texas Weather Modification Assn. and on file with the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration — contributed to the flood.

From Los Angeles Times • Jul. 21, 2025

Starting in 1795, it predates by eight years the publication of Luke Howard's the Essay on the Modification of Clouds.

From BBC • Jul. 13, 2025

The research was funded as part of the Collaborative Research Center / Transregio 319 "RMaP: RNA Modification and Processing."

From Science Daily • Apr. 25, 2024

Modification of gates at all 97 stations started last month but is being paused while Metro orders the taller glass barriers and other parts needed to reinforce the fare gates.

From Washington Post • Apr. 27, 2023

“The Assumption under any Modification will I fear be Considered as a Bitter pill in this State,” ran one typical account, and “Arguments of Accommodation will have but little Avail.”

From "Founding Brothers: The Revolutionary Generation" by Joseph J. Ellis

Related Words

• adjustment
• alteration
• conversion