Amendment Definition, Examples & Usage Guide

Meaning 1：a small change to improve a document (amendment)

amendment 🔊

/əˈmendmənt/

A small change made to a written law, contract, or proposal to make it better or more correct.

Amendment example showing crossed-out text and handwritten changes on a legal document

a small change to improve a document 🔊

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/ə smɔːl tʃeɪndʒ tʊ ɪmˈpruːv ə ˈdɒkjʊmənt/

A formal, often minor alteration made to a written law, contract, or proposal to correct, improve, or update it.

📁 Category：Laws & Regulations 🔖 Level：Intermediate

📘 Details & Usage

📖 Root Explanation

From Latin 'amendare' (ex- 'out of' + menda 'fault'), meaning 'to free from fault'.

💡 Mnemonic

A MENd MENTions a change; think 'mend' = fix, so amendment = a fix to a document.

📖 Example

In our history class, we learned how the First Amendment to the U.S. Constitution protects freedom of speech. 🔊 In our history class, we learned how the First Amendment to the U.S. Constitution protects freedom of speech.

🔗 Collocations

propose an amendment – formally suggest a change to a law or document

constitutional amendment – a change made to a national constitution

file an amendment – submit a formal written change to a legal document

🔄 Synonyms

modification (n.) – a small change or adjustment made to something

correction (n.) – a change that fixes an error or mistake

revision (n.) – a revised version or a process of changing something

🚫 Antonyms

retention (n.) – the act of keeping something unchanged or in its current form

preservation (n.) – the effort to keep something exactly as it is

🌱 Derivatives

amend (v.) – to make a change to a document or situation to improve it

amendable (adj.) – capable of being changed or improved

unamended (adj.) – not having been changed or corrected

📖 Cultural Story

The U.S. Constitution's First Amendment (1791) is a globally recognized example, cementing 'amendment' as a cornerstone of legal and political reform.