Amendment

Definition

Amendment refers to a formal change or addition proposed or made to a law, document, or policy. It often implies an improvement or correction and is commonly used in legal and governmental contexts.

Parts of Speech

• Noun

Pronunciation

American English

• IPA Pronunciation: /əˈmɛndmənt/
• Respelling: uh-MEND-muhnt

British English

• IPA Pronunciation: /əˈmɛndmənt/
• Respelling: uh-MEND-muhnt

The pronunciation of "amendment" is consistent in both American and British English.

Etymology

The word "amendment" originates from the Old French "amendement," meaning "improvement" or "correction," and from the Latin "emendare," meaning "to correct or make better." The term entered the English language in the late Middle Ages, evolving to signify formal modifications to texts, laws, or policies.

Derivatives

• Amend (verb)
• Amendable (adjective)
• Amender (noun)
• Amendatory (adjective)
• Amended (adjective)

Synonyms

• Modification
• Change
• Correction

Antonyms

• Retention
• Original
• Unaltered

Usage

The term "amendment" is widely used in legal, governmental, and organizational contexts to describe a proposed or enacted change to laws, constitutions, contracts, or policies. In the United States, for example, the term is famously associated with the amendments to the Constitution, such as the First Amendment which guarantees freedom of speech. It is also used in legislative processes worldwide, where members of legislative bodies propose amendments to bills or existing laws to adapt them to new requirements or improve their effectiveness.

Related Terms

• Revision: The process of reviewing and altering a document or policy.
• Alteration: A modification made to something.
• Correction: The act of fixing or improving something.

Detailed Definitions

Noun

• A formal change or addition made to a law, contract, or document: Refers to a legal adjustment or revision, often proposed in a formal setting.
  • Example: "The amendment to the bill was passed by the legislature."
• An improvement or correction made to enhance or clarify: Used generally to describe any change made to improve accuracy, clarity, or effectiveness.
  • Example: "He submitted an amendment to clarify the policy’s language."