edit

¹

[ed-it]

verb (used with object)

1. to supervise or direct the preparation of (a newspaper, magazine, book, etc.); serve as editor of; direct the editorial policies of.

2. to collect, prepare, and arrange (materials) for publication.

3. to revise or correct, as a manuscript.

4. to expunge; eliminate (often followed byout ).

   The author has edited out all references to his own family.

5. to add (usually followed byin ).

6. to prepare (motion-picture film, video or magnetic tape) by deleting, arranging, and splicing, by synchronizing the sound record with the film, etc.

7. Genetics.,  to alter the arrangement of (genes).

8. Computers.,  to modify or add to (data or text).

noun

1. an instance of or the work of editing.

   automated machinery that allows a rapid edit of incoming news.

edit.

²

abbreviation

1. edited.

2. edition.

3. editor.

edit

/ ˈɛdɪt /

verb

1. to prepare (text) for publication by checking and improving its accuracy, clarity, etc

2. to be in charge of (a publication, esp a periodical)

   he edits the local newspaper

3. to prepare (a film, tape, etc) by rearrangement, selection, or rejection of previously filmed or taped material

4. (tr) to modify (a computer file) by, for example, deleting, inserting, moving, or copying text

5. (often foll by out) to remove (incorrect or unwanted matter), as from a manuscript or film

noun

1. informal,  an act of editing

   give the book a final edit

Other Word Forms

• misedit verb (used with object)
• overedit verb
• reedit verb (used with object)
• unedited adjective
• well-edited adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of edit¹

First recorded in 1785–95; 1915–20 edit for def. 6; partly back formation from editor, partly from French éditer, verb derivative of Latin ēditus “published, given out,” past participle of ēdere “to give out,” from ē- e- ¹ + -dere, combining form of dare “to give” ( datum )

Word History and Origins

Origin of edit¹

C18: back formation from _editor

Example Sentences

CBS News’ “Face the Nation” will no longer edit taped interviews after U.S.

From Los Angeles Times

They use a gene editing tool known as crispr to remove some of the pig genes and add certain human genes to make the organ more compatible.

From BBC

A trimmed 70-minute edit of the movie is playing two to three times a day, nearly every day, through the end of March 2026, with a ticket price that currently starts at $114.

From Los Angeles Times

A farewell video had already filmed and edited such was the likelihood that Guehi would be leaving.

From BBC

The pair insist the situation was exaggerated in the edit, with Kieran saying the love triangle was "slightly manufactured".

From BBC

Related Words

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