What does the term amendment refer to?

The term amendment refers to a change made to a document, typically by adding, subtracting, or substituting specific content. In the context of laws and legal documents, an amendment is often a formal change or addition designed to improve, clarify, or update the original text. This definition encompasses a wide range of applications, from altering the Constitution to modifying statutes or regulations.

In contrast, proposing new laws pertains to drafting entirely new pieces of legislation, which does not fall under the definition of an amendment. Repealing old laws involves eliminating existing legislation rather than altering it, thus differing from the concept of amending. A formal request for legislation is typically about initiating a process to create a new law, separate from the idea of amending an existing one. Therefore, focusing on the act of change itself makes the definition of amendment accurate and relevant.