journalism

noun

jour·​nal·​ism ˈjər-nə-ˌli-zəm 

1

a

: the collection and editing of news for presentation through the media

b

: the public press

c

: an academic study concerned with the collection and editing of news or the management of a news medium

2

a

: writing designed for publication in a newspaper or magazine

b

: writing characterized by a direct presentation of facts or description of events without an attempt at interpretation

c

: writing designed to appeal to current popular taste or public interest

Examples of journalism in a Sentence

She plans to major in journalism when she goes to college.

Recent Examples on the Web

Boys only Support journalism that digs deeper into topics that matter most to Arkansans. —Erick Taylor, Arkansas Online, 15 Jan. 2026

Over the past five years, five Pittsburgh foundations have run a consortium called Press Forward, pumping $21 million into local journalism, funding independent media organizations like Public Source and the investigative newsroom Spotlight PA. —Andy Sheehan, CBS News, 14 Jan. 2026

The Dallas Morning News retains full editorial control of the Education Lab’s journalism. —Milla Surjadi, Dallas Morning News, 14 Jan. 2026

The service journalism teams at The News & Observer and The Charlotte Observer want to hear from you. —Evan Moore, Charlotte Observer, 14 Jan. 2026

Word History

First Known Use

1791, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Phrases Containing journalism

• advocacy journalism
• broadcast journalism
• checkbook journalism
• gonzo journalism
• pack journalism

Rhymes for journalism

• autism
• fascism
• racism
• sikhism
• statism
• sufism
• thomism
• tourism
• tropism
• abolitionism
• aldosteronism
• americanism

Kids Definition

journalism

noun

jour·​nal·​ism ˈjərn-ᵊl-ˌiz-əm 

1

: the collecting and editing of news to be presented online, in newspapers or magazines, or over television or radio

2

: writing designed for or characteristic of newspapers or magazines

journalistic

ˌjərn-ᵊl-ˈis-tik

adjective