update

1 of 2

verb

up·​date ˌəp-ˈdāt  ˈəp-ˌdāt 

updated; updating; updates

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 

ˈəp-ˌdā-

updatable software

updater

ˌəp-ˈdā-tər 

ˈəp-ˌdā-

noun

update

2 of 2

noun

up·​date ˈəp-ˌdāt 

1

: an act or instance of updating

2

: current information for updating something

3

: an up-to-date version, account, or report

Synonyms of update

Verb

• redesign
• modernize
• streamline
• remake

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

Verb

The projections will be updated daily. —Dom Luszczyszyn, New York Times, 25 May 2026

This story will be updated once more information is provided. —Rashad Alexander, Kansas City Star, 25 May 2026

Noun

There is no immediate threat to the surrounding area, fire officials said in a final update Tuesday evening. —Jeanine Santucci, USA Today, 27 May 2026

It's estimated that at least three historic buildings were destroyed and at the latest update, firefighters said that 18,379 acres of the rare vegetation on the island had burned. —Dean Fioresi, CBS News, 26 May 2026

Word History

First Known Use

Verb

1941, in the meaning defined at transitive sense

Noun

1961, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Rhymes for update

• abate
• airfreight
• await
• baseplate
• berate
• birthdate
• birthrate
• bookplate
• borate
• breastplate
• bromate
• casemate

Kids Definition

update

1 of 2 verb

up·​date ˌəp-ˈdāt 

: to bring up to date

update

2 of 2 noun

up·​date ˈəp-ˌdāt 

1

: an act or instance of updating

2

: an up-to-date version, account, or information