Simple Definition of excerpt

from our Learner's Dictionary

excerpt

1 of 2

noun

plural excerpts
: a small part of a longer written work
She read an excerpt from the play.
I've read only excerpts of/from Moby-Dick, never the whole book.
excerpts; excerpted; excerpting
: to include (part of a longer written work) in something else
usually used as (be) excerpted
This article was excerpted from the New York Times.
Portions of her novel were excerpted in a literary magazine.

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“Excerpt.” Merriam-Webster.com Simple Definition, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/simple/excerpt. Accessed 21 Jun. 2026.

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