corrective

Corrective is an adjective meaning intended to correct or rectify a fault, error, or deficiency. The term derives from Latin corrigere, corrigo. In everyday use, corrective measures are actions taken to fix problems and prevent recurrence.

In quality management and manufacturing, the phrase corrective action describes steps taken after a nonconformity is identified. Many frameworks use root cause analysis, followed by an action plan, implementation, and verification to ensure the issue is resolved and does not recur. In regulated industries, corrective action is part of CAPA—corrective and preventive action.

In maintenance, corrective maintenance refers to repairs performed after a equipment failure to restore function, as opposed to preventive maintenance scheduled to reduce failure risk. The choice between corrective and preventive maintenance affects uptime and cost, depending on risk, criticality, and resource availability.

The term also appears in optics and medicine. Corrective lenses and corrective surgery describe interventions that improve vision or function by compensating for physical limitations. In education or policy contexts, corrective measures refer to interventions designed to address behavior, performance, or compliance issues.