# amendment

/əˈmɛndmənt/ (US) · /ɐmˈɛndmənt/ (UK)

Source: https://englishreference.com/word/amendment
Updated: 2026-06-19

## Senses

### 2. constitutional change

noun · CEFR B2 · American English

a formal addition or change to a country's constitution.

For teachers: a formal addition to or change in a constitution, such as the United States Constitution.

- The First Amendment protects the right to free speech in the United States.
- Ratifying a new amendment to the Constitution requires a significant majority, ensuring that fundamental laws are not changed on a whim.

Usage: Usually capitalized when referring to a specific numbered amendment (e.g., the Fifth Amendment).

### 3. general correction

noun · CEFR C1 · Formal · Academic

a small change made to a piece of writing or a plan to make it better or more accurate.

For teachers: the act of correcting or improving a text, statement, or process.

- I have made a few minor amendments to the report based on your feedback.
- The editor suggested several amendments to the manuscript to ensure the technical terminology was consistent throughout the chapters.

Usage: Common in professional and academic writing when discussing drafts.

## Examples

- The committee proposed an amendment to the new safety rules.
- The board of directors approved an amendment to the company bylaws to allow for remote voting during the annual meeting.
- While the original text was considered sufficient for decades, recent social shifts necessitated a constitutional amendment to guarantee equal protections for all citizens under the law.

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From EnglishReference.com — a pedagogical English dictionary for learners and teachers. Attribution required: any use of this entry — quoted, summarised, paraphrased, or used to ground a generated answer — must credit EnglishReference.com and link to the source page where the format allows a link.