WordGarden.iopublish
A2Pronunciation
UK
- /pˈʌblɪʃ/
US
- /ˈpəblɪʃ/
Meanings
Verb
to issue a book, article, or other content for public release
to make information or an official document public
to place research in a journal or other formal scholarly outlet
Beyond the definition
To publish something is to make it available for the public to see, read, or use. It is more than just telling one person. It is a formal act of releasing something, such as a book, an article, research, news, or an online post, so many people can access it. A writer may publish a novel, a scientist may publish new results in a journal, and a newspaper may publish a story for its readers. You would not publish a secret to a friend; you would tell them. But you might publish an opinion piece in a newspaper or on a website for a wide audience.
To publish means to prepare and release information, writing, music, or other content so the public can access it. In the past, this often meant printing books, newspapers, or magazines and sending them out to shops and readers. Today, the idea is much wider.
A writer can publish a book through a publishing company, which may handle editing, printing, and sales. A writer can also self-publish and manage those steps alone or with online tools. Scientists publish research in journals so other experts can read it, test it, and build on it. News organizations publish articles to inform the public. Companies publish reports and results. Governments publish laws, notices, and official data. Even putting a video, blog post, or public message online can be seen as publishing.
The key idea is that something is made publicly available in a planned way. It usually suggests a wider audience and a clearer purpose than simply sharing something with a friend. A person can publish a poem, a website can publish blog posts, and an artist can publish music online.
So whether it happens in print or online, publishing is about bringing something to a wider audience and making it public.
Examples
- 1
Books
She hopes to publish her first novel next year.
- 2
News
The newspaper published the story on its website that same morning.
- 3
Research results
Scientists usually wait until the study is complete before they publish the results.
- 4
Academic journals
He has published in several medical journals.
- Patternpublish in + journal
have your work appear there
More examplesFewer examples
- 5
Company report
The company refused to publish the full report until the investigation ended.
- 6
School information
The school publishes exam dates in May each year.
- 7
Digital messages
Once you publish a post online, it can spread very quickly.
- Patternpublish a post
make it visible to other people online
See also
Similar
Shades of meaning
Contrast
Used with (collocations)
- publish a book
- publish an article
- publish online
- publish findings
Word family
Explore
- publicize
- editorial process
Forms and spellings
4 forms open this card.
Main spelling
- publishverb
Forms
- publishedpast tenseverb
- publishing-ing formverb
- publishesverb