English Reference
noun

correction

n.
US /kɝˈɛkʃən/ UK /kəɹˈɛkʃən/ cor·rec·tion UK spelling corrections

  1. 01 B1 Intermediate

    the act of fixing an error or the change you make to make something correct.

    the act or process of rectifying an error; a specific substitution or adjustment made to achieve accuracy.

    Simple

    The teacher made a small correction to the student's essay with a red pen.

    In context

    After reviewing the initial draft, the editor suggested several minor corrections to ensure the historical dates were entirely accurate.

    rectificationamendmentfix
  2. 02 C1 Advanced Formal Law

    the punishment or treatment of people who have broken the law.

    the punishment, treatment, and rehabilitation of offenders through a judicial system.

    Simple

    He spent ten years working in the department of corrections.

    In context

    The state's approach to corrections has shifted from purely punitive measures toward vocational training and psychological rehabilitation.

    Usage

    Often used in the plural form 'corrections' when referring to the department or industry.

  3. 03 C1 Advanced Technical Computing

    a sudden drop in the price of stocks after they have been rising for a long time.

    a decline in a stock market index or the price of an individual security, typically defined as a drop of at least 10%.

    Simple

    Investors were worried that the recent price drop was the start of a market correction.

    In context

    Financial analysts noted that the market correction was overdue following eighteen months of unprecedented and unsustainable growth.

  4. 04 C2 Proficiency Technical

    a word used in radio talking to show that the previous information was wrong and is being fixed.

    a procedural signal used in telecommunications to indicate that an error was made in the previous transmission and the correct version follows.

    Simple

    The pilot said, 'Turn left heading zero-nine-zero, correction, zero-eight-zero.'

    In context

    Standard operating procedure requires the operator to state 'correction' immediately upon realising a verbal error to prevent tactical confusion.

    Usage

    Used as a specific spoken command in radio protocols.

Usage corrections comments

Correction 14 August 2026: This story was amended to say the Sunday deadline for announcing the result was one set by the electoral commission and not the law.

BBC News· 14 Aug 2026

Some traders are reeling from heavy losses after a brutal correction in South Korea's stock market.

BBC News· 13 Aug 2026

From Middle English correccioun, correction, from Old French correccion (French correction), from Latin corrēctiō. Doublet of correctio.

Etymology adapted from Wiktionary, available under CC BY-SA 4.0.

This entry
Origin Latin corrēctiō
Level C1 · Advanced
Frequency Frequent
Updated