Word

amendment

noun C1

/əˈmɛndmənt/

Meanings

noun

an official change or addition to a law, rule, or formal document

noun

a change made to improve a piece of writing or a plan

Definition

An amendment is an official change or addition made to a document, law, or rule.

An amendment is a formal change, correction, or addition to an existing text, especially a law, constitution, contract, or policy. It is usually proposed, discussed, and then approved through an official process. Amendments are used to update wording, clarify meaning, or adjust rules without rewriting the entire document.

Examples

The committee approved an amendment that clarified the policy’s scope without changing its overall intent.
I proposed an amendment to the schedule so we could include time for public questions.
She withdrew her amendment after colleagues pointed out that it created an unintended loophole.
They negotiated an amendment to the contract to reflect the revised delivery timeline.
The court reviewed the amendment and concluded that it was consistent with the rest of the document.

Common mistake

Learners often confuse amendment (a change to an existing document) with amendment of (the process of changing) or with adjustment in informal contexts where change/revision is more natural.