edit

[ ed-it ]

/ ˈɛd ɪt /

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verb (used with object)

to supervise or direct the preparation of (a newspaper, magazine, book, etc.); serve as editor of; direct the editorial policies of.

to collect, prepare, and arrange (materials) for publication.

to revise or correct, as a manuscript.

to expunge; eliminate (often followed by out): The author has edited out all references to his own family.

to add (usually followed by in).

to prepare (motion-picture film, video or magnetic tape) by deleting, arranging, and splicing, by synchronizing the sound record with the film, etc.

Genetics. to alter the arrangement of (genes).

Computers. to modify or add to (data or text).

noun

an instance of or the work of editing: automated machinery that allows a rapid edit of incoming news.

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Origin of edit

1785–95; 1915–20 for def. 6; partly back formation from editor, partly <French éditer<Latin ēditus published (past participle of ēdere to give out), equivalent to ē-e-¹ + -ditus combining form of datus given; cf. datum

OTHER WORDS FROM edit

mis·ed·it, verb (used with object)o·ver·ed·it, verbre·ed·it, verb (used with object)un·ed·it·ed, adjective

well-ed·it·ed, adjective

Other definitions for edit (2 of 2)

edit.

abbreviation

edited.

edition.

editor.

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023

How to use edit in a sentence

Being there teaches you to think quickly, edit yourself, and not get too precious about your own work.
Coffee Talk with Fred Armisen: On ‘Portlandia,’ Meeting Obama, and Taylor Swift’s Greatness|Marlow Stern|January 7, 2015|DAILY BEAST
We just saw an edit of one called, “Doug Becomes A Feminist,” and I just really enjoyed watching it.
Coffee Talk with Fred Armisen: On ‘Portlandia,’ Meeting Obama, and Taylor Swift’s Greatness|Marlow Stern|January 7, 2015|DAILY BEAST
But after a while, the edit wars ended, and the article no longer had Einstein going to Albania.
You Can Look It Up: The Wikipedia Story|Walter Isaacson|October 19, 2014|DAILY BEAST
WardsWiki (as it became known) allowed anyone to edit and contribute, without even needing a password.
You Can Look It Up: The Wikipedia Story|Walter Isaacson|October 19, 2014|DAILY BEAST

The result was a new content management application that allowed users to edit and contribute to a Web page.
You Can Look It Up: The Wikipedia Story|Walter Isaacson|October 19, 2014|DAILY BEAST
He showed how the state might print and bind and distribute, while men in "free associations" might edit and publish.
Love's Pilgrimage|Upton Sinclair
Only I wonder why you edit his book if it's like that, you know.
Tristram of Blent|Anthony Hope
He would edit a paper, comprehensive in its scope, and liberal in its views.
Mr. Opp|Alice Hegan Rice
There are persons, indeed, who would like to edit such songs and stories especially for the use of children.
The Sexual Life of the Child|Albert Moll
I had hoped to meet him some day, to draw out his confidences, perchance to edit his memoirs.
Punch, or the London Charivari, Vol. 147, September 2nd, 1914|Various

British Dictionary definitions for edit

edit

/ (ˈɛdɪt) /

verb (tr)

to prepare (text) for publication by checking and improving its accuracy, clarity, etc

to be in charge of (a publication, esp a periodical)he edits the local newspaper

to prepare (a film, tape, etc) by rearrangement, selection, or rejection of previously filmed or taped material

(tr) to modify (a computer file) by, for example, deleting, inserting, moving, or copying text

(often foll by out) to remove (incorrect or unwanted matter), as from a manuscript or film

noun

informal an act of editinggive the book a final edit

Word Origin for edit

C18: back formation from editor

Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

edit

Origin of edit

OTHER WORDS FROM edit

Other definitions for edit (2 of 2)

Words related to edit

How to use edit in a sentence

British Dictionary definitions for edit

Word Origin for edit