edit

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verb

ed·it ˈe-dət

edited; editing; edits

transitive verb

: to prepare (something, such as literary material) for publication or public presentation

edit a manuscript

: to assemble (something, such as a moving picture or tape recording) by cutting and rearranging

edit a film

: 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

: to direct the publication of

edits the daily newspaper

: DELETE

—usually used with out

: 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

ˈe-də-tə-bəl

adjective

edit

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Example Sentences

VerbThis chapter needs to be edited.The book was poorly edited.The stories have been edited for a younger audience.See More

Recent Examples on the Web

Verb

Users who pay $8 a month will received a check mark in a blue badge next to their profile pictures and will be able to edit tweets, among other perks.—Kurt Wagner, Fortune, 13 Dec. 2022Twitter Blue users will be able to edit tweets as users have long anticipated to use the feature.—Jordan Mendoza, USA TODAY, 12 Dec. 2022See More

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'edit.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.