me·lio·ra·tion
ˌmēlyəˈrāshən 
-lēə-
plural -s
: the quality or state of being meliorated or an act of meliorating : betterment: such as
a
: lasting or major improvement of land (as by a tenant)
the effect of meliorations was greater on height growth of fir and on soil flora and condition—
Biological Abstracts
Biological Abstracts
b
: the historical process by which the semantic and connotative status of a word tends to rise
the emergence of steward from sty-ward is an example of melioration in action
compare pejoration
Cite this Entry
“Meliorate.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/meliorate. Accessed 5 Jul. 2026.
Copy CitationKids Definition
meliorate
verb
me·lio·rate
ˈmēl-yə-ˌrāt
ˈmē-lē-ə-
meliorated; meliorating
: to make or become better : improve
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