printing

1 of 2

noun

print·​ing ˈprin-tiŋ How to pronounce printing (audio)
Synonyms of printingnext
1
: the act or product of one that prints
2
: reproduction in printed form
3
: the art, practice, or business of a printer
4
: impression sense 7a
5
printings plural : paper to be printed on

printing

2 of 2

present participle of print entry 2

Examples of printing in a Sentence

Noun The book is already in its second printing, and a third printing is scheduled for later this year. The book has had two printings of 100,000 copies each. Her printing is very neat.
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.
Noun
Once operational, printing rates will hit 1,000 pounds an hour. — Mrigakshi Dixit, Interesting Engineering, 1 Sep. 2026 Charged drops, the team notes in the paper, form naturally in clouds, thunderstorms, ocean waves, fountains, and waterfalls, as well as in industrial processes like electrostatic spraying and inkjet printing. — Jacek Krywko, ArsTechnica, 31 Aug. 2026 That copy as well as an early printing of what would become the Bill of Rights, are currently on view at the National Constitution Center in Philadelphia, courtesy of Griffin. — Maximilíano Durón, ARTnews.com, 31 Aug. 2026 To comply, states would have to retool their processes for printing and mailing ballots, a potentially expensive process that might be difficult to achieve quickly. — Sharon Bernstein, Sacbee.com, 30 Aug. 2026 See All Example Sentences for printing

Word History

First Known Use

Noun

14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

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

Phrases Containing printing

Rhymes for printing

See All Rhymes for printing

Browse Nearby Words

printhead
printing
printing frame
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Cite this Entry

“Printing.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/printing. Accessed 4 Sep. 2026.

Copy Citation

Kids Definition

printing

noun
print·​ing ˈprint-iŋ How to pronounce printing (audio)
1
: the process of putting something in printed form
2
: the art or business of a printer

More from Merriam-Webster on printing

Thesaurus: All synonyms and antonyms for printing

Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about printing

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