DictionaryAI

publish

verb
PUB-lish/ˈpʌblɪʃ/

Formspublishes, publishing, published

7 meanings of publish

Practice

  1. 1
    produce a workverbtransitive
    To print or put out a book, magazine, or other work so that people can buy or read it.

    Like a bakery making bread and setting it out for people to buy.

    The company will publish her new book next spring.

    They published the report online for everyone to read.

    UsageOften was published by a company, or published online.

    Similarrelease

  2. 2
    verbintransitive
    To appear in print or online so that people can read or see it.

    Her article will publish next month in a popular magazine.

    The story published online before the print edition appeared.

    UsageYou can also say comes out or is published.

    Similarappear, run

  3. 3
    verbintransitive
    To have your work accepted and appear in a book, magazine, journal, or online publication.

    Like an athlete who has to keep getting picked for the team to stay on it.

    Young scientists feel pressure to publish quickly.

    She finally published after years of trying.

    UsageOften said of scientists: publish in a journal. Publish or perish means you must publish to keep your job.

  4. 4
    verbtransitive
    To post a message on a website, blog, or online group so others can see it.

    He published a long post about his trip on his blog.

    You can publish your comment once you sign in.

    UsageOften with on: publish a post on your blog.

    Similarpost, share

    Note
  5. 5
    announceverbtransitive
    To tell something to the public so that everyone can know it.

    Like ringing a town bell so everyone hears the news at once.

    The mayor will publish the results of the vote tonight.

    Officials published the new rules last week.

    UsageUsed for news and facts: publish the results, publish the names.

    Similarannounce, publicize, disclose, reveal, proclaim

    Oppositeconceal, suppress, withhold

    Note

Less common meanings

  1. 6
    verb
    To send out information so that other parts of a system that asked for it can get it.
  2. 7
    verb
    To share religious teachings with people, the way Jehovah's Witnesses do when they go door to door.

Practice

Can you tell the meanings of publish apart? Answer 4 quick questions from this page, or write your own sentence and AI will check it.

Origin

From Latin 'publicare' meaning 'to make public', which came from 'publicus' meaning 'public'. It reached English through Old French 'publier'.

Checked 5 Nov 2026 · 3 facts