update
Americanverb (used with object)
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updates,
present (3rd person singular)
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updated,
past participle, past
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updating
present participle
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to bring (a book, figures, or the like) up to date as by adding new information or making corrections.
to update a science textbook.
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Computers. to incorporate new or more accurate information in (a database, program, procedure, etc.).
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to bring (a person, organization, etc.) up to date on a particular subject.
The magazine article will update you on the international situation.
noun
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updates
plural
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an act or instance of updating.
to make an update in a financial ledger.
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information or data used in updating.
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an updated version, model, or the like.
verb
noun
Other Word Forms
Derived Forms
Inflected Forms
Nouns
Participles
Conjugated Forms
Present
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updatesimple
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updatessimple
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have updatedperfect
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has updatedperfect
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am updatingprogressive
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are updatingprogressive
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is updatingprogressive
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have been updatingperfect progressive
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has been updatingperfect progressive
Past
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updatedsimple
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had updatedperfect
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was updatingprogressive
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were updatingprogressive
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had been updatingperfect progressive
Future
Etymology
Origin of update
Explanation
When you renovate or improve something, changing it to make it more modern, you can say you update it. The process of doing this can also be called an update. If you decide to download the latest version of an app or program, you update it, and when you add recent information to your resume before starting a job search, you also update that. You might also update your friends about your job hunt, letting them know you're seeking employment — you're giving them the latest information, or an update. The verb dates from the 1940s.
Vocabulary lists containing update
Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
See Examples For:
In an update on Friday evening, Division 3 Fire Chief Mark Backoff said that six homes had either been damaged or destroyed by the Norte Fire, and one firefighter had been injured from heat exhaustion.
From BBC ● Oct. 17, 2026
Alexa Ray Joel shared a positive health update on father Billy Joel in advance of a tribute event.
From Los Angeles Times ● Oct. 16, 2026
Barclays raises its flow and headline assets under management estimates for the U.K. investment management group following the update.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Oct. 16, 2026
In September 2025, BBC Verify asked for an update on the review and was told that the incident was "still being reviewed by the FFAM".
From BBC ● Oct. 15, 2026
February 24—and there's been an update every twenty- four hours right up to yesterday.
From "Things Not Seen" by Andrew Clements
LA28 Cultural Olympiad Executive Director Nora Halpern and Jones provided updates on plans first outlined in May, including an official Cultural Olympiad mark recognizing participating programs and a digital calendar and mapping platform.
From Los Angeles Times ● Oct. 15, 2026
These are some of the reasons my performance-auditing firm each year updates an investment newsletter honor roll of monitored investment newsletters that have produced above-average performance in both up and down markets.
From MarketWatch ● Oct. 14, 2026
Over the course of last week, her team provided frequent updates on Pike's condition - detailing how she had regained her ability to walk and talk before ultimately being discharged from hospital care.
From BBC ● Oct. 13, 2026
James will be hosting open houses on as many Saturdays as she can, posting updates on the Griffith merry-go-round project Instagram page.
From Los Angeles Times ● Oct. 12, 2026
Secretary of State Blaine sent Arthur telegrams every few hours with updates on the president's health.
From "Ambushed!" by Gail Jarrow
The DOJ didn’t respond to my emailed request for an updated timeline.
From Slate ● Oct. 16, 2026
An updated post later said law enforcement was escorting students in buses to a separate location, where families could reunite with their children.
From Barron's ● Oct. 15, 2026
Rockstar has not yet confirmed whether an updated online mode will be released as soon as GTA 6 launches.
From BBC ● Oct. 15, 2026
The International Energy Agency is scheduled to release its October oil market report Wednesday, providing updated assessments of global supply, demand and inventories amid the continuing disruptions.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Oct. 14, 2026
On March 11, standing before a map of Cuba on a podium in the Cabinet Room, the CIA’s Richard Bissell updated Kennedy on the plan.
From "Fallout: Spies, Superbombs, and the Ultimate Cold War Showdown" by Steve Sheinkin
“They can return their ballot without updating their information,” Martinez said.
From Los Angeles Times ● Oct. 9, 2026
"Sometimes stadiums need updating and the revenue from premium ticketing can help fund a new stadium or new stand, so there are benefits to the everyday fan."
From BBC ● Oct. 8, 2026
Revlon is trying to make its 87-year history an asset with consumers while simultaneously updating its appeal.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Oct. 7, 2026
Summit played up his corporate background by updating his old LinkedIn profile with a badge announcing he was “Open to Work.”
From The Wall Street Journal ● Oct. 5, 2026
I was once following this CountDowners feed where this Decker met a Last Friend, and she was slow about updating, sometimes for hours, to the point where viewers in the chat room assumed she’d died.
From "They Both Die at the End" by Adam Silvera
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