update

1 of 2

verb

up·​date ˌəp-ˈdāt How to pronounce update (audio) ˈəp-ˌdāt How to pronounce update (audio)
updated; updating; updates
Synonyms of updatenext

transitive verb

: to bring up to date
updatable adjective
or updateable
ˌəp-ˈdā-tə-bəl How to pronounce update (audio)
ˈəp-ˌdā-
updatable software
updater
ˌəp-ˈdā-tər How to pronounce update (audio)
ˈəp-ˌdā-
noun

update

2 of 2

noun

up·​date ˈəp-ˌdāt How to pronounce update (audio)
1
: an act or instance of updating
2
: current information for updating something
3
: an up-to-date version, account, or report

Synonyms

Verb

See All Synonyms & Antonyms in Thesaurus

Examples of update in a Sentence

Verb I need to update my address book. update all the population figures She wants to update her wardrobe. Noun I haven't heard the latest weather update. You can download updates for free.
Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Verb
Editor's note: This article and the headline have been updated with to reflect President Trump's comments. — Barak Ravid, Axios, 17 Mar. 2025 With each transaction, changes to their balances and property titles are scanned into an electronic central depository, Monopoly Money App, which updates players’ financial position in real-time. — Ann Rutledge, Forbes, 17 Mar. 2025
Noun
But this month's Windows updates are removing the Copilot app from some Windows 11 PCs and unpinning it from the taskbar, according to this Microsoft support document. — Andrew Cunningham, Ars Technica, 17 Mar. 2025 Sign up for our free Royals newsletter to get the latest updates on Kate Middleton, Meghan Markle and more! — Janine Henni, People.com, 17 Mar. 2025 See All Example Sentences for update

Word History

First Known Use

Verb

1941, in the meaning defined above

Noun

1961, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of update was in 1941

Rhymes for update

See All Rhymes for update

Browse Nearby Words

upcycle
update
Updike
See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Update.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/update. Accessed 27 Mar. 2025.

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Kids Definition

update

1 of 2 verb
up·​date ˌəp-ˈdāt How to pronounce update (audio)
: to bring up to date

update

2 of 2 noun
up·​date ˈəp-ˌdāt How to pronounce update (audio)
1
: an act or instance of updating
2
: an up-to-date version, account, or information

More from Merriam-Webster on update

Nglish: Translation of update for Spanish Speakers

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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