splice

1 of 2

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 2

noun

1

: a joining or joint made by splicing something

2

: marriage, wedding

Illustration of splice

• splice 1

Examples of splice in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

Verb

What could be more symbolic of a world uniting in divisive times than literally splicing together a handful of geographically separate events for a global audience to consume as a more or less cohesive whole? —Judy Berman, Time, 7 Feb. 2026

An industrial landscape gives way to vast marshes spliced by curving waterways. —Kara Newman, Condé Nast Traveler, 6 Feb. 2026

Noun

The most effective way to splice speaker cables is by using a dedicated, in-line speaker wire splice. —Bestreviews, Mercury News, 9 Jan. 2026

Prescott has previously said the president’s reputation was not damaged by the splice. —Max Goldbart, Deadline, 19 Dec. 2025

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

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