What is an amendment in the context of the U.S. Constitution?

An amendment in the context of the U.S. Constitution refers to a formal change or addition to the Constitution itself. Amendments are essential for adapting the Constitution to reflect current values, societal needs, and political contexts. The amendment process is deliberately rigorous, requiring approval by two-thirds of both houses of Congress and ratification by three-fourths of the state legislatures or state conventions. This high threshold ensures that only significant and broadly supported changes are made to the foundational legal framework of the country.

The other options refer to different aspects of the government's function and law-making process. Laws passed by Congress are specific legislative acts that do not change the Constitution's structure or content. An executive order is a directive issued by the President, which manages the operations of the federal government without altering existing laws or the Constitution itself. Lastly, a Supreme Court ruling interprets the Constitution and can influence how laws are applied but does not constitute a formal change or addition to the constitutional text. Thus, the correct definition of an amendment aligns precisely with the notion of a change or addition to the Constitution.