update

verb

up·​date ˌəp-ˈdāt  ˈəp-ˌdāt 

updated; updating; updates

transitive verb

: to bring up to date

intransitive verb

: to become up to date

My computer updated overnight.

updatable adjective

or updateable

ˌəp-ˈdā-tə-bəl 

ˈəp-ˌdā-

updatable software

updater

ˌəp-ˈdā-tər 

ˈəp-ˌdā-

noun

Synonyms of update

• redesign
• modernize
• streamline
• remake

Examples of update in a Sentence

I need to update my address book.

update all the population figures

She wants to update her wardrobe.

Recent Examples on the Web

The non-inclusion of the church among other Christian denominations created a backlash on social media and drew strong rebukes from Mormon members of Congress who urged the Pentagon to update the list. —Luis Martinez, ABC News, 8 June 2026

Special digital section is continually updated. —Miami Herald Staff Report, Miami Herald, 8 June 2026

Rather than reflecting an actual vote dump, the snapshots captured incomplete moments in a rapidly updating results feed. —Barnini Chakraborty, The Washington Examiner, 8 June 2026

In Australia, infant feeding guidelines for allergy prevention were updated in 2016 to recommend introducing egg and other food allergens in the first year of life to reduce the risk of food allergy, according to the new study. —Jacqueline Howard, CNN Money, 8 June 2026

Word History

First Known Use

1941, in the meaning defined at transitive sense

Rhymes for update

• abate
• airfreight
• await
• baseplate
• berate
• birthdate
• birthrate
• bookplate
• borate
• breastplate
• bromate
• casemate

Kids Definition

update

1 of 2 verb

up·​date ˌəp-ˈdāt 

: to bring up to date

update

2 of 2 noun

up·​date ˈəp-ˌdāt 

1

: an act or instance of updating

2

: an up-to-date version, account, or information