emendation

noun

emen·​da·​tion ˌē-ˌmen-ˈdā-shən How to pronounce emendation (audio)
ˌe-mən-,
e-ˌmen-
1
: the act or practice of emending
2
: an alteration designed to correct or improve

Examples of emendation in a Sentence

the governor's numerous emendations to the speechwriter's first draft left nary a sentence untouched
Recent Examples on the Web In the execution scene, the emendations almost seem designed to make an already dismaying narrative intolerable. Alex Ross, The New Yorker, 26 June 2023 One emendation to the oddsmaker’s craft was the shocking triumph of Leicester City in the English Premier League in 2016. Hayden Bird, BostonGlobe.com, 12 June 2018 Likewise, a 2004 emendation and intensification of the act was also ratified, in part, as a response to the death of another child, Victoria Climbié, at the hands of her guardians. Tara Isabella Burton, Vox, 27 Apr. 2018 Richard Ouellette’s décor, with a central pavilion amid a grove, serves for both productions, with slight emendations. Alastair MacAulay, New York Times, 4 Feb. 2018 Even with the emendations, fewer seats will be available for each production. Alexis Soloski, New York Times, 31 Jan. 2018 These letters often included a handwritten emendation of grief or praise. Phillip Carter, Slate Magazine, 17 Oct. 2017 Nor would any textual emendation be required to make the point. Jesse Green, New York Times, 9 June 2017

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'emendation.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

Word History

First Known Use

1536, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of emendation was in 1536

Dictionary Entries Near emendation

Cite this Entry

“Emendation.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/emendation. Accessed 19 Mar. 2024.

More from Merriam-Webster on emendation

Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!