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.
In May, the trade publication National Restaurant News reported that McDonald’s was embarking on a hiring binge this summer with a goal of 375,000 new workers nationwide. — David Lyons, Sun Sentinel, 25 Aug. 2026 Allison LaSorda's writing appears in Maisonneuve, Literary Hub, Scientific American, Brick, and other publications, and her work has been nominated for National Magazine Awards. — Hazlitt, 25 Aug. 2026 Such scenario competitions included household chores, like washing laundry, folding clothes, and cleaning up living rooms, according to the Chinese state media publication the Global Times. — Jeremy Hsu, ArsTechnica, 25 Aug. 2026 Under Kennedy, vaccine skeptics have been elevated to prominent positions and public-health agencies have suppressed the publication of scientific reports that diverge from his preferred narrative. — Dhruv Khullar, New Yorker, 25 Aug. 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
See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Publication.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/publication. Accessed 1 Sep. 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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