Changement

Changement is a French noun meaning the act or result of changing, alteration, or modification. It derives from the verb changer, to change, and is used in both everyday language and specialized terms. In English, the word appears mainly in borrowed or technical contexts, especially in the arts and theatre.

In general usage, changement refers to any modification, transition, or replacement. It can describe changes in conditions, policies, equipment, or plans. The phrase changement climatique is the standard French for climate change, and similar formulations appear in discussions of political, technological, or social change. The noun also appears in expressions such as un changement de direction (a change of direction) or un changement de guerre (a shift in strategy).

In ballet, changement is a specific jump in which a dancer changes the alignment of the feet in the air and lands on the opposite foot, typically from fifth position to fifth. The term denotes both the action and a standard step in classical ballet technique and choreography.

In theatre and performing arts, changement commonly refers to a costume change, known as un changement de costume. The term may also denote the broader process of switching setups, props, or stage configurations during a performance or between acts. Changement thus serves as a concise label for both physical transitions and broader processes of transformation across disciplines.