modification

noun

Synonyms of modification
1
: the limiting of a statement : qualification
With some modifications this statement is true today.—J. B. Conant
2
3
a
: the making of a limited change in something
… making the exactly minimum degree of modification to her institutions necessary to fit them to new conditions.—John Strachey
also : the result of such a change
b
: a change in an organism caused by environmental factors
4
: a limitation or qualification (see qualification sense 1) of the meaning of a word by another word, by an affix, or by internal change

Examples of modification in a Sentence

The program can be used on all computers without modification. They passed the law with only a few minor modifications. The weather required some major modifications to our travel plans.
Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Zhang first tried to ride a motorcycle across water in 2009, using basic modifications to explore whether the machine could remain moving on the surface. — Jijo Malayil, Interesting Engineering, 26 Oct. 2026 Australia drives on the left-hand side of the road, like the UK and Japan, meaning the truck would need significant modifications for approval. — Will McCurdy, PC Magazine, 25 Oct. 2026 Behind-the-scenes engineering modifications over the last year have boosted not only the attraction’s reliability, but allowed its capacity to increase by about 125 people per hour. — Todd Martens, Los Angeles Times, 23 Oct. 2026 These transfer stages are modeled after the Blue Moon Mark 1 lander, but have some significant modifications. — Eric Berger, ArsTechnica, 23 Oct. 2026 See All Example Sentences for modification

Word History

First Known Use

1603, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of modification was in 1603

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Modification.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/modification. Accessed 27 Oct. 2026.

Kids Definition

modification

noun
1
a
: the act of modifying
b
: the state of being modified
2
: the limiting of a statement : qualification
3
: the result of modifying : partial change
modification of plans

Medical Definition

modification

noun
1
: the act or result of modifying something
2
: a change in an organism that is not inherited and that is caused by the influence of its environment

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