1
: an act or instance of redacting something
2
: a work that has been redacted : edition, version

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.
The lawsuit argues the selective redactions support its allegation that the disclosure was intentional. Stepheny Price, FOXNews.com, 13 Aug. 2026 In June, Sullivan concluded that the redactions and withheld materials violated the Epstein Files Transparency Act. Peter Charalambous, ABC News, 13 Aug. 2026 Even when footage is released, ICE’s policy will require the redaction of all officers’ identifying features such as their faces, names and badge numbers to preserve their privacy. Ryan J. Foley, Chicago Tribune, 7 Aug. 2026 Bondi told the House Oversight Committee in May that Blanche had overseen the process, which included delays in the release of files and major redaction issues. Ben Wieder, Los Angeles Times, 6 Aug. 2026 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

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Cite this Entry

“Redaction.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/redaction. Accessed 14 Aug. 2026.

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