update

1 of 2

verb

up·date ˌəp-ˈdāt ˈəp-ˌdāt

updated; updating; updates

Synonyms of update

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

update

2 of 2

noun

up·date ˈəp-ˌdāt

: an act or instance of updating

: current information for updating something

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

Examples of update in a Sentence

Verb I need to update my address book. update all the population figures She wants to update her wardrobe. Noun I haven't heard the latest weather update. You can download updates for free.

Recent Examples on the Web

Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

Verb

According to the European Space Agency's space debris statistics, updated October 14, 2026, approximately 47,140 objects are regularly tracked in Earth's orbit. — Kurt Knutsson, FOXNews.com, 25 Oct. 2026 Now, Miller’s updated his methodology to handicap the Senate elections. — Shawn Tully, Fortune, 24 Oct. 2026

Noun

Present-day designer Philippe Starck is credited with the modern update of the hotel’s aesthetic and his daughter Ara painted a large ceiling tapestry for the restaurant. — Sofia Celeste, Footwear News, 24 Oct. 2026 However, before getting into this, know that these features work only on Pixel phones and some Samsung Galaxy phones with the latest Android 17 updates. — Joe Osborne, PC Magazine, 24 Oct. 2026 See All Example Sentences for update

Word History

First Known Use

Verb

1941, in the meaning defined at transitive sense

Noun

1961, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler

The first known use of update was in 1941

See more words from the same year

Browse Nearby Words

upcycle

update

Updike

See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

Style

“Update.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/update. Accessed 27 Oct. 2026.

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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

: an act or instance of updating

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

update

verb

noun

Synonyms of update

Examples of update in a Sentence

Word History

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

Kids Definition

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update

verb

noun

Synonyms of update

Examples of update in a Sentence

Word History

Rhymes for update

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

Kids Definition

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