redact

American  

[ri-dakt] / rɪˈdækt /

verb (used with object)

1. to put into suitable literary form; revise; edit.

2. to draw up or frame (a statement, proclamation, etc.).

3. to edit (text) so as to remove or hide confidential or sensitive information.

   His account number has been redacted from the top of the statement.

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redact British  

/ rɪˈdækt /

verb

1. to compose or draft (an edict, proclamation, etc)

2. to put (a literary work, etc) into appropriate form for publication; edit

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Other Word Forms

• redaction noun
• redactional adjective
• redactor noun

Etymology

Origin of redact

First recorded in 1350–1400; Middle English, from Latin redāctus (past participle of redigere “to lead back”), equivalent to red- red- + āctus, past participle of agere “to drive, move, lead”; act

Example Sentences

Massie has also criticized the DOJ, which he says “has failed to properly redact victims’ information while simultaneously succeeding in avoiding the disclosure of incriminated individuals,” in a statement to Salon.

From Salon • Feb. 10, 2026

What they’ve done is all these haphazard redactions, redacting a bunch of things they’re not supposed to redact.

From Slate • Feb. 4, 2026

Brittany Henderson and Brad Edwards said there was "an unfolding emergency that requires immediate judicial intervention" due to the DOJ "failing to redact victims names and other personally identifying information in thousands of instances".

From BBC • Feb. 3, 2026

Though the Justice Department sought to redact sensitive information, Congress mandated disclosure in 30 days.

From The Wall Street Journal • Feb. 3, 2026

"Abridge, redact," he exclaims towards the end, but there was no abridgment and no redaction.

From The Life of Froude by Paul, Herbert W. (Herbert Woodfield)

Related Words

• adapt
• alter
• analyze
• annotate
• arrange
• assemble
• censor
• choose
• compile
• compose
• delete
• prepare
• publish
• rearrange
• revise
• select