splice

play

verb \ˈsplīs\

Definition of splice

spliced

;

splicing

transitive verb
1a : to unite (two ropes or two parts of a rope) by interweaving the strandsb : 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

See splice defined for English-language learners

See splice defined for kids

Recent Examples of splice from the Web

From a sample-splicing jam touching on Lamar and The White Stripes, to the album's title track, BJ let the band take charge.

— milwaukee, Milwaukee Journal Sentinel, "Best and worst of Summerfest Day 8: Wisconsin acts and festival veterans pack punches," 7 July 2017
This imperial bodice-front piece features tiers of 2,000 Akoya pearls, inter-spliced with aquamarines, moonstones, and diamond slivers.

— Vogue, "A First Look at Boucheron’s Flacon de Neige Necklace, and Other Gems From Its New High Jewelry Collection," 3 July 2017
Kenny’s bloody eye was often spliced next to video of a crying Rachel.

— vanityfair.com, "The Bachelorette’s Race-Focused Feud Was Both Disappointing and Unsurprising," 28 June 2017
Almost every scene in which something edible appears throughout the series is spliced into a three-minute supercut by Digg.

— andrea park, Teen Vogue, ""Harry Potter" Supercut Highlights Every Food From the Films," 28 June 2017
To add to George’s embarrassment, Gatorade kept running a commercial of George hitting a (fake) game-winner throughout the playoffs, an ad that’s since been artfully spliced with his demoralizing brick from Game 4.

— rohan nadkarni, SI.com, "2017 NBA Playoffs: Biggest Winners And Losers," 13 June 2017
Jahn himself floated such an idea in January, part of a plan that would splice a boldly expressive, 1,340-foot hotel and residential tower onto the center's southwest corner.

— blair kamin, chicagotribune.com, "Thompson Center sale shouldn't automatically mean demolition," 1 June 2017
Also spliced in, applauding the Chicagoan who helped relocate the Whitney to a new building downtown: President Donald Trump, Michelle Obama and North Korean leader Kim Jong-Un.

— amanda l gordon, Bloomberg.com, "Elevator Tequila Bar, Biennial Art, Katie Holmes Help Whitney Museum Get Social," 24 May 2017
Their DNA has been spliced with that of the Eternals, a race of superhumans found in the comics.

— chris e. hayner, The Hollywood Reporter, "'The Inhumans' Primer: A Guide to ABC's Royal Marvel Family," 9 May 2017

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'splice.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

Origin and Etymology of splice

obsolete Dutch splissen; akin to Middle Dutch splitten to split

NEW! Time Traveler

First Known Use: circa 1525

See Words from the same year

splice

noun

Definition of splice

1 : a joining or joint made by splicing something
2 : marriage, wedding

See splice defined for English-language learners

Recent Examples of splice from the Web

But in telling what might otherwise be a grim tale, Egan, a two-time Pulitzer finalist, splices together history, science, reporting and personal experience into a taut and cautiously hopeful narrative, bursting with life.

— New York Times, "9 New Books We Recommend This Week," 1 June 2017
In telling what might otherwise be a grim tale, Egan, a two-time Pulitzer finalist, nimbly splices together history, science, reporting and personal experiences into a taut and cautiously hopeful narrative.

— robert moor, New York Times, "Nor Any Drop to Drink?: Why the Great Lakes Face a Murky Future," 23 May 2017
The fun montage splices together footage of Lasnier in the studio recording the track, hanging with friends and finally on stage.

— steve baltin, Billboard, "Watch the New Video for Danish Pop Star Benjamin Lasnier's 'Somebody to Hurt'," 9 May 2017

Illustration of splice

First Known Use of splice

1627

SPLICE Defined for English Language Learners

splice

play

verb

Definition of splice for English Language Learners

: to join ropes, wires, etc., by weaving or twisting them together
: to join (pieces of film, magnetic tape, etc.) by connecting their ends together

splice

noun

Definition of splice for English Language Learners

: the place where two things (such as two pieces of rope or film) have been joined by being spliced together

SPLICE Defined for Kids

splice

play

verb \ˈsplīs\

Definition of splice for Students

spliced

;

splicing

1 : to unite (as two ropes) by weaving together
2 : to unite (as rails or pieces of film) by connecting the ends together

splice

play

noun

Definition of splice for Students

: the process of joining or a joint made by weaving or connecting the ends together

Medical Dictionary

splice

play

transitive verb \ˈsplīs\

Medical Definition of splice

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