splice

1 of 3

verb

ˈsplīs 

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 3

noun (1)

1

: a joining or joint made by splicing something

2

: marriage, wedding

Illustration of splice

• splice 1

splicer

3 of 3

noun (2)

splic·​er

ˈsplīsə(r)

plural -s

: one that splices

specifically : a device for making splices in lengths of photographic film or paper

Examples of splice in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

Verb

Clue hit theaters in 1985 with three distinct endings but didn’t find success until it was released on VHS with all three endings spliced together. — Air Mail, 19 Sep. 2026

Using 13 colors, the process ensures technicians splicing underground cables decades from now can identify matching lines. — Charlotte Observer, 15 Sep. 2026

Noun

To keep our attention, Parreno and Gordon splice in snippets of overhead shots or official TV footage. — Sebastian Smee, The Atlantic, 11 July 2026

The minute a splice in the film strip is made, reality is being edited. — Peter Bogdanovich, IndieWire, 13 May 2026

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 (1)

1627, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Phrases Containing splice

• comma splice

Rhymes for splice

• dice
• feis
• gneiss
• grice
• ice
• lice
• mice
• slice
• spice
• thrice
• trice
• twice

Kids Definition

splice

1 of 2 verb

ˈsplīs 

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

ˈsplīs 

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