update

1 of 2

verb

updated; updating; updates
Synonyms of updatenext

transitive verb

: to bring up to date

intransitive verb

: to become up to date
My computer updated overnight.
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
This article is being continuously updated. Kansas City Star, 11 Dec. 2025 Be sure to sign up for text alerts and follow us on Instagram, TikTok and Flipboard to stay updated! Kasey Caminiti, USA Today, 10 Dec. 2025
Noun
Get your daily dose of entertainment news, celebrity updates, and what to watch with our EW Dispatch newsletter. Nick Romano, Entertainment Weekly, 12 Dec. 2025 Every weekday, the CNBC Investing Club with Jim Cramer releases the Homestretch — an actionable afternoon update, just in time for the last hour of trading on Wall Street. Jeff Marks, CNBC, 11 Dec. 2025 See All Example Sentences for update

Word History

First Known Use

Verb

1941, in the meaning defined at transitive sense

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 16 Dec. 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!