redaction

noun

re·dac·tion ri-ˈdak-shən

: an act or instance of redacting something

: a work that has been redacted : edition, version

redactional

ri-ˈdak-shnəl

-shə-nᵊl

adjective

Did you know?

Here's a quiz for all you etymology buffs. Can you pick the words from the following list that come from the same Latin root?

A. redaction B. prodigal C. agent D. essay
E. navigate F. ambiguous

If you guessed all of them, you are right. Now, for bonus points, name the Latin root that they all have in common. If you knew that it is the verb agere, meaning to "to drive, lead, act, or do," you get an A+. Redaction is from the Latin verb redigere ("to bring back" or "to reduce"), which was formed by adding the prefix red- (meaning "back") to agere. Some other agere offspring include act, agenda, cogent, litigate, chasten, agile, and transact.

Examples of redaction in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web Despite the redactions, the video has provided some answers, but it’s also raised even more troubling questions: As the officer didn’t tell Roger to drop the weapon before shooting, was the officer trained to give verbal warnings? —

Tom McLaughlin, USA TODAY, 10 May 2024 Under Delaware chancery law, it won’t be made public for another five days as both sides discuss potential redactions. —

Drew Harwell, Washington Post, 29 Feb. 2024 See all Example Sentences for redaction

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'redaction.' 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

French rédaction, from Late Latin redaction-, redactio act of reducing, compressing, from Latin redigere to bring back, reduce, from re-, red- re- + agere to lead — more at agent

First Known Use

1785, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler

The first known use of redaction was in 1785

See more words from the same year