truncate

1 of 2

verb

trun·​cate ˈtrəŋ-ˌkāt How to pronounce truncate (audio)
ˈtrən-
truncated; truncating

transitive verb

1
: to shorten by or as if by cutting off
2
: to replace (an edge or corner of a crystal) by a plane
truncation noun

truncate

2 of 2

adjective

: having the end square or even
truncate leaves

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The Connection Between Truncate and Trees

The earliest use of truncate is as an adjective describing something (such as a leaf or feather) with the end squared off as if it had been cut. It makes sense, then, that the verb refers to shortening things. The word comes from Latin truncare ("to shorten"), which traces to truncus ("trunk").

Examples of truncate in a Sentence

Verb some of the quotations from the movie had to be truncated to fit on tie-in products
Recent Examples on the Web
Verb
But two other rising San Fernando Valley politicians truncated her political career. Gustavo Arellano, Los Angeles Times, 22 Oct. 2023 Lawmakers are reportedly now considering an amendment that would truncate the two years of mandatory service into three weeks of military training. Carita Rizzo, Rolling Stone, 18 Sep. 2023 Last week, Nguema led a coup that ousted President Ali Bongo Ondimba, a military takeover that appears to have truncated the Bongo family’s decades-long dominance over Gabonese politics. Duarte Mendonca, CNN, 4 Sep. 2023 Witness the astonishing gaffe that truncated his first comeback in 2013, with an Oscar de la Renta residency brokered by Wintour. David Rooney, The Hollywood Reporter, 2 Sep. 2023 Alas, their performances are if not wasted, truncated. Stephen Rodrick, Variety, 17 July 2023 As the royals stood in the balcony, jets streaked overhead, in a flyby that was truncated due to the weather. Claire Parker, Washington Post, 6 May 2023 The main event was truncated, drivers crashed more than normal due to tight turns, and fans complained about poor communication on weather updates. Hank Sanders, Chicago Tribune, 4 July 2023 Moments that should deliver a quick plot point drag on, while courtroom scenes—where Comey is clearly at home—are oddly truncated. Jacob Bacharach, The New Republic, 1 June 2023
Adjective
Chris Blume, who chairs the working group for the PNG image format that Snipping Tool uses, helped tip Buchanan off to the issue by tweeting that Snipping Tool seems to not truncate files correctly when overwriting existing images. Mitchell Clark, The Verge, 21 Mar. 2023 See More

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'truncate.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

Word History

Etymology

Adjective

Latin truncatus, past participle of truncare to shorten, from truncus trunk

First Known Use

Verb

circa 1717, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Adjective

15th century, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of truncate was in the 15th century

Podcast

Dictionary Entries Near truncate

Cite this Entry

“Truncate.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/truncate. Accessed 6 Dec. 2023.

Kids Definition

truncate

1 of 2 adjective
trun·​cate ˈtrəŋ-ˌkāt How to pronounce truncate (audio)
ˈtrən-
: having the end square or blunt
a truncate leaf

truncate

2 of 2 verb
truncated; truncating
: to shorten by or as if by cutting off
truncation noun

More from Merriam-Webster on truncate

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