修订 means 'to revise' or 'to amend', especially in formal, written contexts such as laws, regulations, textbooks, contracts, or official documents. The character 修 (xiū) conveys the idea of 'repairing', 'refining', or 'improving', while 订 (dìng) suggests 'establishing', 'setting', or 'fixing' — together, they express the careful, authoritative act of reviewing and updating existing text to improve accuracy, clarity, or relevance. It implies an official or institutional process, not casual editing.

This word is commonly used in government, academic, publishing, and legal settings. You’ll see it in phrases like 修订法律 (revise a law), 修订教材 (revise teaching materials), or 修订草案 (revised draft). It carries a sense of formality and responsibility — revisions are typically made by experts or authorized bodies, not individuals acting alone. Unlike more general verbs like 修改 (xiūgǎi), 修订 suggests a thorough, systematic update, often following consultation or public feedback.