What are changes to the Constitution called?

Changes to the Constitution are referred to as amendments. This term specifically denotes formal changes or additions made to the text of the Constitution itself. Amendments are an essential aspect of the constitutional framework, allowing the document to be adaptable and responsive to the evolving needs of society.

The process for amending the Constitution is outlined in Article V of the document, requiring a significant consensus for approval—either a two-thirds majority in both houses of Congress or a convention called by two-thirds of state legislatures, followed by ratification by three-fourths of the states.

While revisions might suggest changes, they do not hold the formal recognition that amendments do, as the latter has a clearly defined legal process. Resolutions typically refer to expressions of the legislative body’s opinion or intent, not formal changes to the Constitution. Articles, on the other hand, refer to the distinct sections of the Constitution and do not imply changes but rather the original framework of governance set out within the document.