remediation

American  

[ri-mee-dee-ay-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

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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

See Examples For:

remediation

Sykes of Gabelli continues to favor Wells Fargo as an investment because of the ongoing remediation story after the Federal Reserve lifted its regulatory cap on the bank’s asset growth last year.

From MarketWatch ● Oct. 11, 2026

"Councils, citizens and communities cannot afford the cost of remediation, nor can they afford to wait any longer for action."

From BBC ● Sep. 30, 2026

MA says its own FY27 estimates already incorporate a softer 1Q to reflect the disruption and remediation works.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Sep. 7, 2026

In the case of the Moores, Farmers Insurance insists it has paid for and completed the smoke damage remediation called for in the policy.

From Los Angeles Times ● Sep. 1, 2026

"People are still saying it does not meet the threshold for remediation, that both angers me and saddens me," he added.

From BBC ● Aug. 25, 2026

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