redact
Americanverb (used with object)
verb
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to compose or draft (an edict, proclamation, etc)
-
to put (a literary work, etc) into appropriate form for publication; edit
Other Word Forms
Derived Forms
Inflected Forms
Participles
Conjugated Forms
Present
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redactsimple
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redactssimple
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have redactedperfect
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has redactedperfect
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am redactingprogressive
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are redactingprogressive
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is redactingprogressive
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have been redactingperfect progressive
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has been redactingperfect progressive
Past
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redactedsimple
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had redactedperfect
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was redactingprogressive
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were redactingprogressive
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had been redactingperfect progressive
Future
Etymology
Origin of redact
First recorded in 1350–1400; Middle English, from Latin redāctus (past participle of redigere “to lead back”), equivalent to red- red- + āctus, past participle of agere “to drive, move, lead”; see act
Explanation
To redact is to arrange or edit text in a written document. Don't get too attached to every word in your rough draft; your teacher will expect you to redact it before handing in your final paper. Redact refers to any kind revising or editing that makes a document better, usually for publication. When you see the prefix re-, you know the word is going to refer to something either being done again or retracted. You can think of redact as redoing writing or taking back some of what was originally said. You'll often see the word redact being used with the prepositions in or into. You might take several documents and redact them into a single one.
Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
See Examples For:
The department has come under fire for its handling of the process, including failing to initially redact the names of dozens of victims and not initially releasing some FBI documents that referenced allegations against Trump.
From The Wall Street Journal ● May 29, 2026
While your mother’s bank may decide to redact certain sensitive transaction details, it cannot refuse to disclose all accounting.
From MarketWatch ● May 19, 2026
According to a report by the Washington Post, Patel has directed agents in the bureau’s San Francisco office to redact the case files for public release.
From Los Angeles Times ● Mar. 29, 2026
Griffin also confirmed that the large bundle of documents released last month had been temporarily removed from the government website "to redact some additional information".
From BBC ● Mar. 12, 2026
"Abridge, redact," he exclaims towards the end, but there was no abridgment and no redaction.
From The Life of Froude by Paul, Herbert W. (Herbert Woodfield)
Officials have said they would release materials as the department reviews and redacts them.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Dec. 23, 2025
The report redacts details of the now-deleted post, from 16 November 2023, which the BBC has seen.
From BBC ● Mar. 6, 2025
The appeal redacts their names, indentifying jurors only by their numbers from the trial.
From Seattle Times ● Sep. 5, 2023
Of those, only 13 are living, and the attorney general’s report redacts their names and other identifying information.
From Washington Post ● Jan. 20, 2023
If he is applauded, he prospers and redacts; if he is hissed, he goes his ways.'
From The French Revolution by Carlyle, Thomas
The documents are heavily redacted and contain a mix of raw reporting, internal discussions, technical assessments and law-enforcement records.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Jul. 17, 2026
Numerous victims have said that their names and other sensitive information were not properly redacted in the files and criticized Blanche and the department for failing to investigate Epstein’s potential co-conspirators.
From Los Angeles Times ● Jul. 15, 2026
Finger points at AI as famous scientist’s papers mysteriously redacted.
From MarketWatch ● Jul. 1, 2026
Most of the report given to AFP was redacted, citing privacy, national security and confidentiality concerns.
From Barron's ● Jun. 26, 2026
She'd seen it in the library book before it was redacted.
From "The Marvellers" by Dhonielle Clayton
Lord Beamish also said the government was redacting documents "too broadly - particularly in the case of personal information".
From BBC ● May 15, 2026
In a statement, Inspector General William M. Blier said his “preliminary objective is to evaluate the DOJ’s processes for identifying, redacting, and releasing records in its possession as required by the Act.”
From The Wall Street Journal ● Apr. 23, 2026
Of those who remain, roughly 1,000 special agents and others are said to be focused on redacting materials related to the Epstein files.
From Salon ● Feb. 14, 2026
What they’ve done is all these haphazard redactions, redacting a bunch of things they’re not supposed to redact.
From Slate ● Feb. 4, 2026
There sit Robespierre and Company, embraced by Municipals and Jacobins, in sacred right of Insurrection; redacting Proclamations; sounding tocsins; corresponding with Sections and Mother Society.
From The French Revolution by Carlyle, Thomas
Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
