What does the term "amendment" refer to in the context of the U.S. Constitution?

The term "amendment" in the context of the U.S. Constitution refers specifically to a formal change or addition made to the Constitution itself. The process of amending the Constitution is outlined in Article V of the document, which allows for modifications that can adapt the Constitution to new circumstances and societal needs. Since the Constitution is a living document, amendments play a crucial role in ensuring its relevance over time.

For instance, significant amendments have included the Bill of Rights, which guarantees various individual freedoms, and later amendments that abolished slavery and granted voting rights to women and other groups. Each of these amendments reflects a change in societal values or legal framework, thereby reinforcing the notion that amendments are essential mechanisms for evolving governance and rights within the nation.

This definition distinguishes "amendment" from other concepts related to government structure or functions, such as the creation of entirely new documents or formal governmental actions like declaring war.