publication

noun

pub·​li·​ca·​tion ˌpə-blə-ˈkā-shən 

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

Prices were accurate at the time of publication but may change. —Ed Masley, AZCentral.com, 8 Feb. 2026

In a recent publication in Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences, researchers from the Technical University of Munich and collaborating institutions report the development of a new type of electronic skin designed to help robots detect harmful physical contact. —New Atlas, 8 Feb. 2026

Partners have no control over or input into the reporting or editing process and do not review stories before publication. —Data Skrive, New York Times, 8 Feb. 2026

Prices were accurate at the time of publication but may change. —Kathy Boardman, USA Today, 7 Feb. 2026

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

Phrases Containing publication

• accept for publication
• pre-publication

Rhymes for publication

• abdication
• aberration
• abjuration
• abnegation
• abrogation
• acceptation
• acclamation
• acclimation
• accusation
• activation
• actuation
• acylation

Kids Definition

publication

noun

pub·​li·​ca·​tion ˌpəb-lə-ˈkā-shən 

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