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; 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

O'Donovan said in February he was concerned the polymer seal would not stop deep‑seated fires and could delay ecological surveys needed for his planning application and site remediation.

From BBC • Mar. 26, 2026

After Mason said goodbye to staff, new CFO Gonzalo Luchetti wrote in an email to employees that Citigroup was “shifting our mindset from remediation to innovation.”

From The Wall Street Journal • Mar. 18, 2026

Molina staged pop-ups and sold merchandise online during months of remediation, and officially reopened Sidecca’s doors in November as part of Mariposa Junction’s larger comeback.

From Los Angeles Times • Mar. 3, 2026

Kyndryl is confident the remediation plan will help improve its reporting practices, but warned in the filings Tuesday that it won’t be able to judge progress “until a sustained period of time has passed.”

From Barron's • Feb. 17, 2026

“Following the upcoming decision period, we will be in touch with identified companies to begin remediation plans,” he said.

From The Wall Street Journal • Feb. 10, 2026