update

1 of 2

verb

updated; updating; updates

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

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
Live updates: World mourns Pope Francis, a humble reformer who favored 'the poorest' Francis praised as voice for immigrants and the poor American Catholics praised Francis as a progressive voice for immigrants and the poor. Marc Ramirez, USA Today, 22 Apr. 2025 This is a developing story and will be updated as more information becomes available. David Goodhue, Miami Herald, 22 Apr. 2025
Noun
The electric vehicle maker is scheduled after market close on Tuesday to provide what is likely to be its most important update on operations since the launch of its Model 3 vehicle in 2017. Akash Sriram, USA Today, 23 Apr. 2025 The scale of duties announced in April, along with the volatility injected by subsequent updates and reversals in policy, have so far exceeded even the most bearish forecasts. Jenni Reid,sam Meredith, CNBC, 22 Apr. 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

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Update.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/update. Accessed 26 Apr. 2025.

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

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!