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

For example, a shipping query directly from a customer is cheap to get wrong, so the AI agent should handle it end-to-end with the write access to actually update the order. — Antony P Gregory, Forbes.com, 1 Sep. 2026 In 2009, the company tried to update its recipe to appeal to health-conscious moms, switching to all-natural flavors. — HubSpot, 1 Sep. 2026

Noun

The alley has undergone several updates over the decades, including a renovation during the Clinton administration. — Anthony Thompson, USA Today, 2 Sep. 2026 Give a basic kitchen island a custom look with a few easy (and budget-friendly) updates. — Emily Williams, Better Homes & Gardens, 2 Sep. 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 4 Sep. 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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