edit

1 of 2

verb

ed·​it ˈe-dət 

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

ˈe-də-tə-bəl 

adjective

edit

2 of 2

noun

: an instance or result of editing

Synonyms

Verb

• redraft
• revamp
• revise
• rework

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

The summaries below were drafted with the help of AI tools and edited by journalists in our News division. —Stories By Real-Time News Team, With Ai Summarization, Miami Herald, 17 Jan. 2025

By Ben Guarino edited by Dean Visser Join Our Community of Science Lovers! —Ben Guarino, Scientific American, 17 Jan. 2025

Noun

In an edit to the original post, the teen reiterated that his parent’s basement is incredibly cold in January — even when the heat is on — noting that the insulation was likely never properly installed. —Toria Sheffield, People.com, 18 Jan. 2025

The director always intended to break from Elwood’s POV and enter Turner’s, but the mechanics of it were something that would be figured out in the edit. —Chris O'Falt, IndieWire, 17 Jan. 2025

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

Phrases Containing edit

• co-edit
• copy edit
• edit oneself
• edit out

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