rewrite

1 of 2

verb

re·​write (ˌ)rē-ˈrīt How to pronounce rewrite (audio)

transitive verb

1
: to write in reply
2
: to make a revision of (something, such as a story) : cause to be revised: such as
a
: to put (contributed material) into form for publication
b
: to alter (previously published material) for use in another publication

intransitive verb

: to revise something previously written
rewriter noun

rewrite

2 of 2

noun

re·​write ˈrē-ˌrīt How to pronounce rewrite (audio)
1
: a piece of writing (such as a news story) constructed by rewriting
2
: an act or instance of rewriting

Examples of rewrite in a Sentence

Verb The teacher asked him to rewrite the essay. I had to rewrite the computer program.
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
Associated Press text, photo, graphic, audio and/or video material shall not be published, broadcast, rewritten for broadcast or publication or redistributed directly or indirectly in any medium. Eric E. Harrison, arkansasonline.com, 29 Jan. 2025 Through a series of legally dubious executive orders, Trump has effectively declared himself above the law, free to ignore Congress, and rewrite constitutional interpretation at will. Jonathan Granoff, Newsweek, 29 Jan. 2025
Noun
Albritton’s math problem only became more difficult when the Senate and House released a rewrite on the bill 20 minutes before it was taken up on the floor Tuesday after the floor hearing was delayed for hours. Alexandra Glorioso, Miami Herald, 29 Jan. 2025 Apparently, Tarantino was toying with a couple different plot ideas during rewrites. Bethy Squires, Vulture, 28 Jan. 2025 See all Example Sentences for rewrite 

Word History

First Known Use

Verb

1567, in the meaning defined at transitive sense 1

Noun

1901, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of rewrite was in 1567

Dictionary Entries Near rewrite

Cite this Entry

“Rewrite.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/rewrite. Accessed 2 Feb. 2025.

Kids Definition

rewrite

1 of 2 verb
re·​write (ˈ)rē-ˈrīt How to pronounce rewrite (audio)
rewrote -ˈrōt How to pronounce rewrite (audio) ; rewritten -ˈrit-ən How to pronounce rewrite (audio) ; rewriting -ˈrīt-ing How to pronounce rewrite (audio)
: to write over again : revise
rewriter
-ˈrīt-ər
noun

rewrite

2 of 2 noun
re·​write ˈrē-ˌrīt How to pronounce rewrite (audio)
: something rewritten
Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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