truncate

1 of 2

verb

trun·​cate ˈtrəŋ-ˌkāt How to pronounce truncate (audio)
ˈtrən-
truncated; truncating

transitive verb

1
: to shorten by or as if by cutting off
2
: to replace (an edge or corner of a crystal) by a plane
truncation noun

truncate

2 of 2

adjective

: having the end square or even
truncate leaves

Did you know?

The Connection Between Truncate and Trees

Bushwhack your way deep enough into the literature of tree identification and you may come across references to trees with “truncate” leaves. Such leaves (as of the tulip tree, for example) have bases that are straight and even, as though they’ve been cut or sheared away from something larger. The adjectival use of truncate isn’t common—it’s mostly found in technical writing (and can also describe feathers, etc., that appear squared or evened off), but the familiar verb doesn’t fall far from the tree: it is applied when something is shortened by literally or figuratively lopping part of it off, as when someone truncates a planned speech to fit time constraints. Both adjective and noun come from the Latin verb truncare, meaning “to shorten,” which in turn traces back to the noun truncus, meaning “trunk.” So next time you’re stumped about the meaning of truncate, try to picture, well, a stump.

Examples of truncate in a Sentence

Verb some of the quotations from the movie had to be truncated to fit on tie-in products
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
The company truncated the name to Max because Zaslav and other executives felt the need to create some distance from HBO’s signature shows to make room for the nonscripted fare of Discovery’s channels, including HGTV and Food Network. Los Angeles Times, 9 July 2025 During the African leaders’ introductions, Trump asked the leaders speaking after Mauritania President Mohamed Ould Ghazouani to truncate their remarks. Naomi Lim, The Washington Examiner, 9 July 2025 There’s a cool, if truncated, car chase in which AMELIA treats humans like roadblocks, flinging us into traffic by freezing scooters and releasing cash from sidewalk ATMs. Amy Nicholson, Los Angeles Times, 26 June 2025 In time, Shahn worried that his imagination was truncated by photography, or that people thought as much. Zachary Fine, New Yorker, 24 June 2025 See All Example Sentences for truncate

Word History

Etymology

Adjective

Latin truncatus, past participle of truncare to shorten, from truncus trunk

First Known Use

Verb

circa 1717, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Adjective

15th century, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of truncate was in the 15th century

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Cite this Entry

“Truncate.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/truncate. Accessed 20 Jul. 2025.

Kids Definition

truncate

1 of 2 adjective
trun·​cate ˈtrəŋ-ˌkāt How to pronounce truncate (audio)
ˈtrən-
: having the end square or blunt
a truncate leaf

truncate

2 of 2 verb
truncated; truncating
: to shorten by or as if by cutting off
truncation noun

More from Merriam-Webster on truncate

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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