update

American  

[uhp-deyt, uhp-deyt, uhp-deyt] / ʌpˈdeɪt, ˈʌpˌdeɪt, ˈʌpˌdeɪt /

verb (used with object)

updated, updating

1. to bring (a book, figures, or the like) up to date as by adding new information or making corrections.

   to update a science textbook.

2. Computers. to incorporate new or more accurate information in (a database, program, procedure, etc.).

3. to bring (a person, organization, etc.) up to date on a particular subject.

   The magazine article will update you on the international situation.

---

noun

1. an act or instance of updating.

   to make an update in a financial ledger.

2. information or data used in updating.

3. an updated version, model, or the like.

update British  

verb

1. to bring up to date

---

noun

1. the act of updating or something that is updated

Other Word Forms

• updatable adjective
• updateable adjective
• updater noun

Etymology

Origin of update

First recorded in 1940–45; up- + date ¹

Example Sentences

It drops into existing systems like a software update.

From MarketWatch • Apr. 6, 2026

Every so often, she called the Arlington Police Department to request an update, but there was rarely much to share.

From Slate • Apr. 6, 2026

In an update at 20:00 local time, ESB Networks said crews were working in impacted areas and responding to power outages where it was safe to do so.

From BBC • Apr. 4, 2026

The update was the administration’s only public acknowledgment that something had gone wrong.

From The Wall Street Journal • Apr. 4, 2026

February 24—and there's been an update every twenty- four hours right up to yesterday.

From "Things Not Seen" by Andrew Clements

Related Words

• amend
• modernize
• refurbish
• renew
• renovate
• restore
• revise