readjustment

American  

[ree-uh-juhst-muhnt] / ˌri əˈdʒʌst mənt /

noun

1. an act of readjusting or the state of being readjusted.

2. Finance. a rearrangement in the financial structure of a corporation, usually less drastic than a reorganization.

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Etymology

Origin of readjustment

First recorded in 1765–75; readjust + -ment

Explanation

If you have to make changes to something, you make a readjustment. You make readjustments all the time — like when you lower the bike seat for your little sister or set your clock forward for daylight saving time. The noun readjustment refers to the act of recalibrating something to match a standard. If you are a scientist, you may be constantly making readjustments to your instruments in order to obtain accurate data. If you're at home, you may have to make some readjustments to your television recording device. The clock is set wrong again and it keeps cutting off the end of your favorite shows, which is super annoying.

Example Sentences

The rating readjustment reflects Citi’s house view on software.

From Barron's • Apr. 10, 2026

The story “Soldier’s Home” reveals a young man’s difficult readjustment to civilian life, his parents’ pressure as he returns from the war and his rejection of their conventional values.

From The Wall Street Journal • Oct. 24, 2025

After a quick readjustment, his rushed attempt cannoned off the post and the game was drawn.

From BBC • Feb. 26, 2024

The former Air Force crew chief, who was working there under a veteran readjustment program, was nearing the end of his eight-hour shift when he overheard a man pounding on the doors.

From Seattle Times • Jul. 11, 2023

“All is a process of adjustment and readjustment, or else eventual failure.”

From "The Gene" by Siddhartha Mukherjee

Related Words

• adjustment
• reconstruction
• rehabilitation