What does spliced mean?
Spliced is the past tense and past participle of the verb splice, meaning joined by cutting and interlacing pieces or strands. The word appears in technical work involving cables, film, audio, and genetic material, where separate sections are cut and connected to form a continuous or functioning whole. In editing and publishing, spliced can also mean inserted into another piece of text, footage, or media. Its figurative use is uncommon but understandable: a sentence may describe an editor as splicing scenes together or a programmer as splicing code into a larger program. The form is standard in both British and American English. Unlike slice, which emphasizes making a cut, splice emphasizes the joining of separate pieces, often in a way that produces a secure or continuous connection.
To join two or more pieces by cutting and interlacing their ends.
"She spliced the cables so the damaged section could be replaced."
Common in technical, craft, and media contexts.
To insert or incorporate something into another piece of material or content.
"The announcement was spliced into the middle of the program."
This extended sense is especially common in editing, publishing, and computing contexts.
To modify genetic material by removing or joining sections of DNA or RNA.
"Researchers spliced a corrected gene sequence into the cell."
Used particularly in genetics and molecular biology.
From editing film to joining DNA and repairing cables, splicing shows how separate pieces can be made into one continuous whole.
Reviewed by Deb Chak, Editor. AI-assisted content curated by RJS Tech Solutions LLP.
Where does spliced come from?
The form spliced is made from splice with the regular past-tense and past-participle ending -ed. The verb splice is recorded in English by the 16th century and comes from a Germanic source. Its development followed the older sense of cutting and joining pieces, especially lengths of rope or wood.
Related word forms
How spliced is actually used
The form is the past tense and past participle of splice. In technical contexts, especially genetics and audio or video editing, it commonly describes joining sections by cutting and joining them.
Easily confused with spliced
Spliced means joined or interlaced by cutting, while sliced means cut with a sharp tool.