To censor, to black out or remove parts of a document while leaving the remainder.
redact — Definition and meaning
• To black out legally protected sections of text in a document provided to opposing counsel, typically as part of the discovery process.
• To reduce to form, as literary matter; to digest and put in shape (matter for publication); to edit. .mw-parser-output .defdate{font-size:smaller}
• To draw up or frame a decree, statement, etc.
• To bring together in one unit; to combine or bring together into one.
• To gather or organize works or ideas into a unified whole; to collect, order, or write in a written document or to put into a particular written form.
• To insert or assimilate into a written system or scheme.
• To bring an area of study within the comprehension capacity of a person.
• To reduce to a particular condition or state, especially one that is undesirable.
• To reduce something physical to a certain form, especially by destruction.
The importance of redact
redact appears in U.S. legal practice across multiple practice areas. Knowing what it means — and when it applies — can determine the outcome of motions, filings, and negotiations. For non-lawyers, the value of looking up a precise definition is that legal terms often carry meanings that differ from everyday usage; relying on the common meaning can lead to costly missteps.
How redact is applied
In practice, redact is invoked when parties, judges, or attorneys need to identify the legal status of an issue, the rights of those involved, or the procedural step required next. The definition shown above is sourced from Wiktionary , which is widely cited in U.S. legal practice. Because U.S. law is jurisdictionally layered — federal, state, and sometimes local — the precise application of the term can vary by court, so check the controlling authority for your specific case.