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:
Secretary of State Michael Watson said in his last update posted on X Thursday that around 3,300 absentee ballots remained outstanding.
From Barron's ● Nov. 6, 2026
The company also offered an update on its financial standing, pointing to $20.6 billion worth of assets.
From MarketWatch ● Nov. 5, 2026
Three days after being carted off the field with a neck injury, Detroit Lions linebacker Jack Campbell provided a health update.
From Los Angeles Times ● Nov. 4, 2026
It also tempered its expectations for the grocery segment from its previous update in September.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Nov. 3, 2026
I had hoped to update her on what Dylan and I found on my brother’s computer, since I haven’t gotten the chance yet, but it’s clear she needs the rest.
From "Amari and the Night Brothers" by B.B. Alston
It’s also likely, he said, that she will initiate a bond or a tax hike to raise money for sidewalks repairs, curb updates and other street improvements.
From Los Angeles Times ● Nov. 6, 2026
Qualcomm and Arm Holdings fell sharply after their financial updates failed to satisfy high investor expectations for artificial intelligence.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Nov. 5, 2026
Erden said infrastructure updates were essential to give greater place to renewables.
From Barron's ● Nov. 5, 2026
The IRS unveiled its updates for 2027 on Thursday.
From MarketWatch ● Nov. 5, 2026
John Kennedy was still up, hosting guests at a late-night party and awaiting updates from Berlin.
From "Fallout: Spies, Superbombs, and the Ultimate Cold War Showdown" by Steve Sheinkin
The online version of the Sheriff’s Department’s Manual of Policy and Procedures has already been updated to include its new policy on the cliques.
From Los Angeles Times ● Nov. 6, 2026
We were print people, gradually adjusting to a new way of publishing, and the notion of a website that would be continually updated throughout the day was unimaginable to us.
From Slate ● Nov. 6, 2026
Bédar's emergency plan was last approved in 2019, and regional officials say it was in the process of being updated.
From BBC ● Nov. 6, 2026
DeLaat also notes that the marketing process involved figuring out an updated asking price—one that took into account the amount of work that might be required to turn the dwelling into a buyer’s dream abode.
From MarketWatch ● Nov. 5, 2026
“Keep me updated, Stella. Barb’ll keep an eye on it too.”
From "Five Feet Apart" by Rachael Lippincott
A separate state system for updating registration information wasn’t processing changes for several weeks, leading to more backlogs.
From Salon ● Nov. 3, 2026
Companies including Target, Apple and Home Depot are working to stay ahead of the scammers, updating packaging, retraining store clerks and advising shoppers on where to check their balances.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Oct. 29, 2026
These included updating the warming hut and clubhouse and adding a mountain bike park.
From Los Angeles Times ● Oct. 24, 2026
Dane Knecht, chief technology officer at internet infrastructure firm Cloudflare, said he was, external "seeing early attacks emerging and are updating mitigations as new vectors show up".
From BBC ● Oct. 21, 2026
“Because we’ll time the updating and rehab to coincide with the boy’s own vacation with his family.”
From "The School for Whatnots" by Margaret Peterson Haddix
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Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
