Definition of "improvement" in English

noun

1. The act of improving; advancement or growth; a bettering

   • November 9, 1662, Robert South, Of the Creation of Man in the Image of God I look upon your city as […] the best place of improvement.

2. The act of making profitable use or application of anything, or the state of being profitably employed; practical application, for example of a doctrine, principle, or theory, stated in a discourse.

3. The state of being improved; betterment; advance

4. Something which is improved

   • the new edition is an improvement on the old.

5. Increase; growth; progress; advance.

6. (in the plural) Valuable additions or betterments, for example buildings, clearings, drains, fences, etc., on premises.

7. (Patent Laws): A useful addition to, or modification of, a machine, manufacture, or composition.