publication

noun

pub·​li·​ca·​tion ˌpə-blə-ˈkā-shən How to pronounce publication (audio)
Synonyms of publicationnext
1
: the act or process of publishing
2
: a published work

Examples of publication in a Sentence

The company specializes in the publication of dictionaries. She has a very impressive list of publications.
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.
Ellison fils’s most high-profile hiring decision was to enlist Bari Weiss—the former Times Opinion editor and founder of the center-right publication The Free Press—as editor-in-chief of CBS News. — Vinson Cunningham, New Yorker, 18 Oct. 2026 Its biggest vessels can carry up to 7,600 passengers at full capacity and stretch nearly 1,200 feet, with onboard attractions ranging from water parks to live productions, the publication said. — Kelly McGreal, FOXNews.com, 18 Oct. 2026 This piece is an edited version of an earlier publication on Substack. — Bruce Svare, Sportico.com, 17 Oct. 2026 Countless dedicated food publications run original recipe content, and thousands of independent chefs produce their own, across blogs, newsletters, YouTube accounts, and TikTok pages. — Dominic Preston, The Verge, 17 Oct. 2026 See All Example Sentences for publication

Word History

Etymology

Middle English publicacioun "act of making something public, promulgation,'" borrowed from Anglo-French publicacion, borrowed from Latin pūblicātiōn-, pūblicātiō "appropriation by the state, disclosure" (Late Latin, "making generally known, publicizing"), from pūblicāre "to make public property, appropriate to the state, make generally known" + -tiōn-, -tiō, suffix of verbal action — more at publish

First Known Use

14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of publication was in the 14th century

Phrases Containing publication

Rhymes for publication

See All Rhymes for publication

Browse Nearby Words

publicate
publication
public bond
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Cite this Entry

“Publication.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/publication. Accessed 20 Oct. 2026.

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Kids Definition

publication

noun
pub·​li·​ca·​tion ˌpəb-lə-ˈkā-shən How to pronounce publication (audio)
1
: the act or process of publishing
2
: a published work

Legal Definition

publication

noun
pub·​li·​ca·​tion
1
: the act or process of publishing
2
: a published work

More from Merriam-Webster on publication

Thesaurus: All synonyms and antonyms for publication

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