edit

1 of 2

verb

ed·​it ˈe-dət How to pronounce edit (audio)
edited; editing; edits

transitive verb

1
a
: to prepare (something, such as literary material) for publication or public presentation
edit a manuscript
b
: to assemble (something, such as a moving picture or tape recording) by cutting and rearranging
edit a film
c
: to alter, adapt, or refine especially to bring about conformity to a standard or to suit a particular purpose
carefully edited the speech
edit a data file
2
: to direct the publication of
edits the daily newspaper
3
: delete
usually used with out
4
: to modify a gene or gene product of by inserting, deleting, or replacing DNA sequences
The first work attempting to edit human embryos grabbed headlines last week.Penny Sarchet and Michael Le Page
see gene editing
editable adjective

edit

2 of 2

noun

: an instance or result of editing

Examples of edit in a Sentence

Verb This chapter needs to be edited. The book was poorly edited. The stories have been edited for a younger audience. Students learn to edit their essays for grammar and punctuation. The software allows you to edit videos on your computer. This film has been edited for television. an anthology of ancient poetry edited by a local professor
Recent Examples on the Web
Verb
They may be edited for clarity and reprinting in whole or in part in Variety publications. Michael Schneider, Variety, 14 Mar. 2024 However, within hours of the image being released to social media, some speculated that the picture looked edited or even AI-generated. Janine Henni, Peoplemag, 11 Mar. 2024 This interview has been edited for length and clarity. Nicole Goodkind, CNN, 11 Mar. 2024 Clarke is an expert in the art of editing and retouching photos, and friends wanted his opinion of the image. Karla Adam, Washington Post, 11 Mar. 2024 This conversation has been edited for length and clarity. Josh Condon, Robb Report, 9 Mar. 2024 This interview has been edited for clarity and length. Rob Reddick, WIRED, 9 Mar. 2024 Ultimately, the researchers want to edit elephant DNA to incorporate traits that allowed mammoths to survive the cold, like shaggy hair, curved tusks and fat deposits. Will Sullivan, Smithsonian Magazine, 8 Mar. 2024 This transcript was automatically generated, and then edited for clarity in its current form. Dana Taylor, USA TODAY, 1 Mar. 2024
Noun
It doesn’t get moved around or experimented with much in the edit. Bilge Ebiri, Vulture, 10 Mar. 2024 The cells will also be useful for testing whether Colossal’s edits to produce mammoth-like fur and fat layers are working as scientists hope. Matt Reynolds, WIRED, 6 Mar. 2024 For ideas on how to style it, look no further than our edit below. Christina Holevas, Vogue, 1 Mar. 2024 The Willy Wonka Experience United The Internet In Laughter Disappointed children aside, the event has inspired a great deal of joy, sparking jokes, memes and fan edits of the underwhelming footage. Dani Di Placido, Forbes, 29 Feb. 2024 So there would usually be an edit in the scene somewhere to be able to use exactly the same take. Brian Davids, The Hollywood Reporter, 13 Feb. 2024 This visual representation demonstrated the full extent of the edits. Susie Violet Ward, Forbes, 25 Feb. 2024 These photos are some like edit of like a montage of photos that somebody did in 2014. Dave Clark, The Enquirer, 23 Feb. 2024 No matter the dress code—black tie, beach, or anything in between—you’ll find a number to fall in love with in our edit of the best spring wedding guest dresses. Jake Smith, Glamour, 16 Feb. 2024

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'edit.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

Word History

Etymology

Verb

back-formation from editor

First Known Use

Verb

1704, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Noun

1917, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of edit was in 1704

Dictionary Entries Near edit

Cite this Entry

“Edit.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/edit. Accessed 19 Mar. 2024.

Kids Definition

edit

verb
ed·​it
ˈed-ət
1
a
: to correct, revise, and prepare for publication
edit a book of poems
b
: to assemble (as a film or tape recording) by cutting and rearranging
2
: to direct the publication of
edit a daily newspaper

More from Merriam-Webster on edit

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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