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

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.

So the process of redaction added a whole other layer; not only for me, but really for every department. —

Jackie Strause, The Hollywood Reporter, 5 Nov. 2024 But the version of the Vance dossier available on Klippenstein's website today has redactions of addresses and his Social Security number. —

Jon Brodkin, Ars Technica, 27 Sep. 2024 Here is part 1 with a few redactions (Discord handles). —

Nina Turner, Newsweek, 31 Oct. 2024 That incident report hasn't been released, pending redaction. —

Natalie Eilbert, Journal Sentinel, 2 Oct. 2024 See all Example Sentences for redaction

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