What does "publish" mean?

1. (to produce a book or magazine) to prepare and produce a book, magazine, or newspaper for people to buy or read. 2. (to post online) to put content, such as a blog post or a video, on the internet for others to see. 3. (to make a formal announcement) to make information known to the public in an official way. 4. (to have work accepted) to have your writing or research accepted and printed in a journal or book.

How do you use "publish"?

Often used in the passive voice when the focus is on the book rather than the company. Commonly used with digital objects like posts, articles, or updates.

publish

US //ˈpəbɫɪʃ// UK //pˈʌblɪʃ// pub·lish

1 to produce a book or magazine (v.)
A2 Elementary

to prepare and produce a book, magazine, or newspaper for people to buy or read.

to issue printed or digital material for public distribution or sale. Transitive — requires a direct object representing the work.

Example

The company plans to publish his new novel in early spring.

Example

The university press decided to publish the research findings in a special edition, ensuring the data reached a global audience of specialists.

Usage

Often used in the passive voice when the focus is on the book rather than the company.
- withdraw
- suppress
2 to post online (v.)
B1 Intermediate Internet

to put content, such as a blog post or a video, on the internet for others to see.

to make digital content available to the public via a website, social media platform, or application.

Example

You can publish your travel photos on your blog for your friends to see.

Example

Once the editor approves the final draft, the system will automatically publish the article to the main news feed.

Usage

Commonly used with digital objects like posts, articles, or updates.
- delete
- hide

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3 to make a formal announcement (v.)
B2 Upper Intermediate Formal

to make information known to the public in an official way.

to announce or proclaim information formally to the public.

Example

The government will publish the new tax rules later today.

Example

The committee is legally required to publish the results of the investigation to maintain transparency with the shareholders.
- conceal
- hide
4 to have work accepted (v.)
C1 Advanced Academic Academic

to have your writing or research accepted and printed in a journal or book.

to have one's creative or academic work accepted for inclusion in a publication. Often used intransitively.

Example

She was very excited to finally publish in a major medical journal.

Example

In the competitive world of academia, the pressure to publish frequently can sometimes compromise the depth of the research.

Teacher's tip

In academic contexts, 'publish' is often used without an object to refer to a person's professional success in getting work out.

Origin

From Middle English publicen (by analogy with banish, finish), from Old French publier, from Latin publicare (“to make public, show or tell to the people, make known, declare, also (and earlier) confiscate for public use”), from publicus (“pertaining to the people, public”); see public.

Word family

Verbpublish
Nounpublisher
Adjectiveunpublished