What does amending the constitution mean?

Answer 1

Amendments are additions or clarifications. When a constitutional amendment is accepted and enacted, it effectively adds its contents to the constitution, or clarifies points set forth in either the constitution or another amendment.

In the Constitution of the United States of America, numerous amendments have been accepted, some shortly after the document was drafted. Effectively, the Constitution served as the foundation, the framework for the ideals of the government. Amendments were proposed, and some added, to expand upon the Constitution's intent. The first ten constitutional amendments, collectively called the Bill of Rights, was completed roughly a decade after the Constituton was adopted.

Amendments can be removed. The 18th Amendment was ratified in 1919, and banned alcohol in the United States. This period, called Prohibition, ended in 1933 when the 21st Amendment was passed. The sole purpose of the 21st Amendment was to repeal the 18th Amendment.

In summary: to amend any document, constitutions included, means to modify, add, or clarify the document.