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splice

1 of 2

verb

spliced; splicing

transitive verb

1
a
: to unite (two ropes or two parts of a rope) by interweaving the strands
b
: to unite (two lengths of magnetic tape, photographic film, etc.) by overlapping and securing together two ends
2
: to unite, link, or insert as if by splicing
3
: to combine or insert (something) by genetic engineering
spliced a human gene for insulin into a bacterium
splicer noun

splice

2 of 2

noun

1
: a joining or joint made by splicing something
2

Illustration of splice

Illustration of splice
  • splice 1

Examples of splice in a Sentence

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
Jackets, shirting, even slips get repurposed, spliced, turned into something new. Alex Badia, Footwear News, 21 Nov. 2025 With pieces of dialogue spliced together from different members, the lawmakers introduce themselves and their background. Meg Kinnard The Associated Press, Arkansas Online, 21 Nov. 2025
Noun
However, the ad selects and splices certain lines from the five-minute address rather than playing the remarks in the order they were delivered or reproducing the speech in its entirety. Michael Collins, USA Today, 25 Oct. 2025 The clip, directed by Adrian Rickard Ennis, splices together footage of Freeman performing and New Mexico’s annual Cerrillos Burro race. Walden Green, Pitchfork, 20 Oct. 2025 See All Example Sentences for splice

Word History

Etymology

Verb

obsolete Dutch splissen; akin to Middle Dutch splitten to split

First Known Use

Verb

circa 1525, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Noun

1627, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of splice was circa 1525

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Splice.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/splice. Accessed 26 Nov. 2025.

Kids Definition

splice

1 of 2 verb
spliced; splicing
1
: to unite (as two ropes) by weaving the strands together
2
: to unite (as pieces of film) by connecting the ends together
3
: to unite, link, or insert as if by splicing
splicer noun

splice

2 of 2 noun
: a joining or joint made by splicing

Medical Definition

splice

transitive verb
spliced; splicing
: to join together or insert (as segments of RNA or DNA) to form new genetic combinations
spliced a human gene for insulin into a bacterium
see gene-splicing

More from Merriam-Webster on splice

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