Meaning & Definition of word "Amendment"

Amendment

/əˈmɛndmənt/

noun:

  • 1. A change or addition designed to improve a text, law, or legislative proposal.
    • Example: The Senate proposed an amendment to the healthcare bill to include more funding for mental health services.
  • 2. An alteration to a legal document or statute.
    • Example: The First Amendment to the United States Constitution guarantees freedom of speech.
  • 3. The process of making changes to a constitution or other governing document.
    • Example: The amendment process in our country requires a supermajority in both houses of Congress.
  • 4. A formal written change to a legally binding document.
    • Example: She submitted an amendment to her contract to extend the deadline for her project.
  • 5. An addition to a legislative proposal that addresses specific issues.
    • Example: The proposed amendment aimed to address climate change by implementing new regulations on emissions.

Etymology

Middle French 'amendement' from Latin 'emendamentum', meaning correction.

Common Phrases and Expressions

constitutional amendment:

A change made to the Constitution.

amendment process:

The formal procedure for making changes to a legal document.

amending a bill:

The act of changing a proposed piece of legislation.

Related Words

emend:

To correct or edit a text.

modify:

To change in form or character.

revise:

To reconsider and alter, especially in a written document.

Slang Meanings of amendment

Meaning: Amend it

Example Sentence: Just amend it quickly before we submit the final version.

Meaning: Make a tweak

Example Sentence: Let's make a tweak to that clause, it's not clear.