truncate

1 of 2

verb

trun·​cate ˈtrəŋ-ˌkāt How to pronounce truncate (audio)
ˈtrən-
truncated; truncating

transitive verb

1
: to shorten by or as if by cutting off
2
: to replace (an edge or corner of a crystal) by a plane
truncation noun

truncate

2 of 2

adjective

: having the end square or even
truncate leaves

Did you know?

The Connection Between Truncate and Trees

The earliest use of truncate is as an adjective describing something (such as a leaf or feather) with the end squared off as if it had been cut. It makes sense, then, that the verb refers to shortening things. The word comes from Latin truncare ("to shorten"), which traces to truncus ("trunk").

Examples of truncate in a Sentence

Verb some of the quotations from the movie had to be truncated to fit on tie-in products
Recent Examples on the Web
Verb
Though all three previous seasons of the series composed of 10 episodes, this final installment truncates things a bit with six. Series newcomers for the Season 4 cast include Nick Offerman, Megan Mullally and David Cross. J. Kim Murphy, Variety, 15 Feb. 2024 In the opening moments of his 25th – albeit truncated – season as an NBA head coach, Rivers looked and sounded like someone who was riding a bicycle after taking a winter off from the exercise: comfortable. Jim Owczarski, Journal Sentinel, 30 Jan. 2024 Joe Mauer’s greatness was truncated, his optimal outcome as a ballplayer very much unrealized. Gabe Lacques, USA TODAY, 15 Jan. 2024 But as the first True Detective season not to tell its story over eight episodes, Night Country comes off as needlessly truncated in key areas, lacking the opportunity to truly inhabit its most distinctive elements. Daniel Fienberg, The Hollywood Reporter, 2 Jan. 2024 Because long strings of letters, periods, and numbers eventually roll over, it was truncated to JN.1—the stealthily moving mutant sweeping the world today. Erin Prater, Fortune Well, 4 Jan. 2024 His plans of a normal transition are truncated, however, when a series of unfortunate and life-threatening events unexpectedly come his way. Carlos Aguilar, Los Angeles Times, 29 Dec. 2023 But the naming system for COVID variants calls for the string of letters to truncate after three additional sets of numbers and periods. Erin Prater, Fortune Well, 19 Dec. 2023 But two other rising San Fernando Valley politicians truncated her political career. Gustavo Arellano, Los Angeles Times, 22 Oct. 2023
Adjective
Chris Blume, who chairs the working group for the PNG image format that Snipping Tool uses, helped tip Buchanan off to the issue by tweeting that Snipping Tool seems to not truncate files correctly when overwriting existing images. Mitchell Clark, The Verge, 21 Mar. 2023

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'truncate.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

Word History

Etymology

Adjective

Latin truncatus, past participle of truncare to shorten, from truncus trunk

First Known Use

Verb

circa 1717, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Adjective

15th century, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of truncate was in the 15th century

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Dictionary Entries Near truncate

Cite this Entry

“Truncate.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/truncate. Accessed 19 Mar. 2024.

Kids Definition

truncate

1 of 2 adjective
trun·​cate ˈtrəŋ-ˌkāt How to pronounce truncate (audio)
ˈtrən-
: having the end square or blunt
a truncate leaf

truncate

2 of 2 verb
truncated; truncating
: to shorten by or as if by cutting off
truncation noun

More from Merriam-Webster on truncate

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