printing

American  

[prin-ting] / ˈprɪn tɪŋ /

noun

1. the art, process, or business of producing books, newspapers, etc., by impression from movable types, plates, etc.

2. the act of a person or thing that prints.

3. words, symbols, etc., in printed form.

4. printed material.

5. the total number of copies of a book or other publication printed at one time.

   The book had a first printing of 10,000.

6. writing in which the letters resemble printed ones.

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printing British  

/ ˈprɪntɪŋ /

noun

1. 1. the process, business, or art of producing printed matter

   2. ( as modifier )

      printing ink

2. printed text

3. Also called: impression.  all the copies of a book or other publication printed at one time

4. a form of writing in which letters resemble printed letters

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Other Word Forms

• nonprinting adjective

Etymology

Origin of printing

Middle English word dating back to 1350–1400; see origin at print, -ing ¹

Example Sentences

These extreme ultraviolet lithography tools are essential for printing the chips in phones, computers and data centers.

From The Wall Street Journal • Apr. 20, 2026

As a result, they removed it after printing.

From Science Daily • Apr. 18, 2026

That, however, was offset some by wholesale food inputs printing an outright decline of 0.3% on the month.

From Barron's • Apr. 14, 2026

In a season of Hollywood marked by mega-mergers from well-funded nepo children, there is something timely about these oblivious creatures smashing up a printing press and a broadcast studio.

From Los Angeles Times • Apr. 12, 2026

The second floor of the Idisher Kuryer was all office space, while the ground level was devoted to the printing presses and the supplies associated with the trade.

From "The City Beautiful" by Aden Polydoros

Related Words

• copy
• distribution
• issuance