remediation

American  

[ri-mee-dee-ey-shuhn] / rɪˌmi diˈeɪ ʃən /

noun

1. the correction of something bad or defective.

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remediation British  

/ rɪˌmiːdɪˈeɪʃən /

noun

1. the action of remedying something, esp the reversal or stopping of damage to the environment

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Usage

What does remediation mean? Remediation is the act of remedying or correcting something that has been corrupted or that is deficient. Remediation has two main usages. Environmental remediation is the removal of pollutants or the reversal of other environmental damage, especially in a particular location, to attempt to return it to its natural state. In education, remediation refers to instruction intended to fill gaps in a student’s core education. Example: After years of legal battles, the chemical company finally agreed to begin remediation at the site of the former factory by removing toxins from the surrounding soil.

Etymology

Origin of remediation

First recorded in 1790–1800; from Latin remediātiōn-, stem of remediātiō “act or process of healing,” equivalent to remediāt-, past participle stem of remediāre “to treat (successfully), cure” + -ion, noun suffix; see origin at remedy, -ation

Explanation

Remediation has to do with righting a wrong or correcting a fault. Students who can't read well or do their multiplication tables might need remediation to bring them up to speed. Remediation is a word for fixing things that aren't right. You often hear about criminals needing rehabilitation, which is close to remediation: after remediation, you're a better or smarter person. Students who get to college but aren't quite ready for college work need remediation. In all forms of remediation, the idea is you're going to help people get better in some way.

Example Sentences

Councillor Ellen Forson, leader of Clackmannanshire Council, said it would not be fair to speculate ahead of the findings of initial investigations by the Mining Remediation Authority, which are expected next week.

From BBC • May 30, 2026

The study, "Remediation and upcycling of microplastics by algae," was published in Nature Communications.

From Science Daily • May 12, 2026

The department has announced the creation of a Smoke Claims and Remediation Task Force to set standards for insurers.

From Los Angeles Times • Jul. 18, 2025

"We will seek to ensure 100% of at-risk families in our cocoa supply chains are covered by Robust Child labor and Forced Labor Monitoring and Remediation Systems by 2025," the report indicates.

From Salon • Jan. 28, 2023

Remediation efforts — digging up contaminated dirt and taking it by covered rail car to a waste management facility in Idaho — aren’t expected to be complete until 2038.

From Seattle Times • Oct. 18, 2022