correction

noun

cor·​rec·​tion kə-ˈrek-shən How to pronounce correction (audio)
1
: the action or an instance of correcting: such as
c
: a bringing into conformity with a standard
d
: neutralization, counteraction
correction of acidity
2
: a decline in market price or business activity following and counteracting a rise
3
a
: something substituted in place of what is wrong
marking corrections on the students' papers
b
: a quantity applied by way of correcting (as for adjustment of an instrument)
4
: the treatment and rehabilitation of offenders through a program involving penal custody, parole, and probation
also : the administration of such treatment as a matter of public policy
usually used in plural
correctional
kə-ˈrek-shnəl How to pronounce correction (audio)
-shə-nᵊl
adjective

Examples of correction in a Sentence

The teacher marked corrections on his students' tests. Please make corrections before handing in your compositions. the correction of your mistakes people in need of vision correction
Recent Examples on the Web Twenty percent were from sheriff's offices, and another 13% were corrections officers. Luke Barr, ABC News, 20 Mar. 2024 And yet Maxine is a good person, whose schemes and trespasses one does not quite forgive, but makes allowances for against hopeful future corrections. Robert Lloyd, Los Angeles Times, 19 Mar. 2024 That’s where the second property of quantum error-correcting codes kicks in—the actual error correction. Ben Brubaker, WIRED, 17 Mar. 2024 Because these things don’t always lend themselves to straightforward corrections, like misspelling a name. Oliver Darcy, CNN, 13 Mar. 2024 Wisconsin lawmakers passed a pay raise for corrections officers last year in hopes of fixing staffing shortages. Sophia Voight, Journal Sentinel, 6 Mar. 2024 Simon Murray, principal analyst at Digital TV Research, points to how the investor revolt that sparked the great Netflix correction of 2022 forced many streaming platforms to rein in their globe-spanning ambitions. Christopher Vourlias, Variety, 4 Mar. 2024 The Justice Department is also currently investigating whether Apple violated U.S. antitrust law by stifling competitors and could face a lawsuit as early as late March, according to reports. correction A previous version of this article misstated the Spotify CEO Daniel Ek's name. Cristiano Lima-Strong, Washington Post, 4 Mar. 2024 With a correction having restored prices to much more reasonable (if still above retail) levels, buyers have felt more inclined to pursue watches that better reflect their authentic interests. Victoria Gomelsky, Robb Report, 8 Mar. 2024

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'correction.' 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

14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of correction was in the 14th century

Dictionary Entries Near correction

Cite this Entry

“Correction.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/correction. Accessed 29 Mar. 2024.

Kids Definition

correction

noun
cor·​rec·​tion kə-ˈrek-shən How to pronounce correction (audio)
1
: the action or an instance of correcting
2
: a change that makes something right
3
: punishment or scolding intended to correct faults of character or behavior
correctional
-shnəl How to pronounce correction (audio)
-shən-ᵊl
adjective

Medical Definition

correction

noun
cor·​rec·​tion kə-ˈrek-shən How to pronounce correction (audio)
: the action or an instance of correcting or neutralizing a harmful or undesirable condition
correction of acidity
correction of visual defects with glasses

Legal Definition

correction

noun
cor·​rec·​tion
1
: a decline in market price or business activity following and counteracting a rise
2
: the treatment and rehabilitation of offenders through a program involving penal custody, parole, and probation
often used in pl.
correctional adjective

More from Merriam-Webster on correction

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
Love words? Need even more definitions?

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