adjustment

[uh-juhst-muhnt]

noun

1. the act of adjusting; adaptation to a particular condition, position, or purpose.

2. the state of being adjusted; adjusted; orderly relation of parts or elements.

3. a device, as a knob or lever, for adjusting.

   the adjustments on a television set.

4. the act of bringing something into conformity with external requirements.

   the adjustment of one's view of reality.

5. harmony achieved by modification or change of a position.

   They worked out an adjustment of their conflicting ideas.

6. Sociology.,  a process of modifying, adapting, or altering individual or collective patterns of behavior so as to bring them into conformity with other such patterns, as with those provided by a cultural environment.

7. Insurance.,  the act of ascertaining the amount of indemnity that the party insured is entitled to receive under the policy, and of settling the claim.

8. a settlement of a disputed account or claim.

9. a change or concession, as in price or other terms, in view of minor defect or the like.

adjustment

/ əˈdʒʌstmənt /

noun

1. the act of adjusting or state of being adjusted

2. a control for regulating

   the adjustment for volume is beside the speaker

Other Word Forms

• adjustmental adjective
• misadjustment noun
• nonadjustment noun
• overadjustment noun
• preadjustment noun
• underadjustment noun

Word History and Origins

Origin of adjustment¹

First recorded in 1635–45; adjust + -ment

Example Sentences

The vote came amid a wider debate over the Democratic Party’s approach to Israel, and whether recent actions represent a genuine shift in policy thinking, as opposed to a temporary, tactical adjustment to current circumstances.

From Salon

"Unfortunately, rising regulated pass-through market and network related costs which are beyond our control, have made a tariff adjustment unavoidable."

From BBC

“We make these marriages, we take these jobs, we have these children, and nothing is ever quite as you imagined it would be. You’re always having to make adjustments to the way things turn out.”

From Los Angeles Times

The ONS said the problems with the retail sales figures meant seasonal adjustments had not been made properly.

From BBC

"It's much more about European security, this adjustment with America, the reassurance to America that Europe is taking more responsibility for its security. The energising of Europe," Sir Tony said.

From BBC

Related Words

• alteration 
• arrangement 
• improvement 
• modification 
• readjustment 
• regulation