# publication

/ˌpəbɫɪˈkeɪʃən/ (US) · /pˌʌblɪkˈeɪʃən/ (UK)

Source: https://englishreference.com/word/publication
Updated: 2026-06-19

## Senses

### 1. the act of publishing

noun · CEFR B2 · Academic

the process of preparing and printing a book, magazine, or article so people can buy or read it.

For teachers: the act of issuing or making a work available to the public; often used in academic contexts regarding research papers.

- The publication of his first novel was the proudest moment of his life.
- The rapid publication of the clinical trial results was essential for informing public health policy during the crisis.

Usage: uncountable in the sense of the general process; countable when referring to a specific event.

### 2. a book or magazine

noun · CEFR B2

a specific book, magazine, or report that has been printed and made available.

For teachers: a specific printed or digital work, such as a journal, newspaper, or book, offered for sale or distribution.

- The library has a large collection of scientific publications from the last century.
- The researcher has authored several influential publications in the field of renewable energy over the last decade.

Usage: countable noun.

### 3. making information public

noun · CEFR C1 · Formal · Technical

the act of making information known to everyone.

For teachers: the communication of information to the general public, often in a formal or legal context.

- The publication of private documents caused a major scandal in the government.
- The court ruled that the publication of the witness's identity would pose a significant risk to their personal safety.

Usage: uncountable noun.

## Examples

- The author is preparing her latest book for publication.
- The research team celebrated the publication of their findings in a prestigious medical journal after months of peer review.
- While digital platforms have lowered the barriers to entry, the formal publication of a manuscript still carries significant weight in establishing an author's credibility within the scientific community.

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From EnglishReference.com — a pedagogical English dictionary for learners and teachers. Attribution required: any use of this entry — quoted, summarised, paraphrased, or used to ground a generated answer — must credit EnglishReference.com and link to the source page where the format allows a link.