edition

American  

[ih-dish-uhn] / ɪˈdɪʃ ən /

noun

editions plural

1. one of a series of printings of the same book, newspaper, etc., each issued at a different time and differing from another by alterations, additions, etc. (distinguished from impression).

2. the format in which a literary work is published.

   a one-volume edition of Shakespeare.

3. the whole number of impressions or copies of a book, newspaper, etc., printed from one set of type at one time.

4. a version of anything, printed or not, presented to the public.

   the newest edition of a popular musical revue.

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edition British  

/ ɪˈdɪʃən /

noun

1. printing

   1. the entire number of copies of a book, newspaper, or other publication printed at one time from a single setting of type

   2. a single copy from this number

      a first edition

      the evening edition

2. one of a number of printings of a book or other publication, issued at separate times with alterations, amendments, etc Compare impression

3. 1. an issue of a work identified by its format

      a leather-bound edition of Shakespeare

   2. an issue of a work identified by its editor or publisher

      the Oxford edition of Shakespeare

4. a particular instance of a television or radio programme broadcast

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verb

1. (tr) to produce multiple copies of (an original work of art)

Other Word Forms

Derived Forms

• preedition
  noun

Inflected Forms

Nouns

• editions
  plural

Etymology

Origin of edition

1545–55; (< Middle French ) < Latin ēditiōn- (stem of ēditiō ) publication, equivalent to ēdit ( us ) (past participle of ēdere; see edit) + -iōn- -ion

Explanation

An edition is a particular version of a publication. A book collector will pay a lot of money for a first edition of an important work (but that probably doesn’t include any of the paperbacks on your shelf). Edition can also refer to a book’s format. If you really enjoy reading a particular book, you might want to purchase a leather-bound, gilded-edge edition of it. In addition, edition can designate a particular issue of a newspaper. If you're a fan of crossword puzzles, you know that the toughest puzzle usually appears in the weekend edition.

Example Sentences

See Examples For:

edition editions

It is a rare treat we get to enjoy every four years and this summer is only the 23rd edition of a men's tournament that has spanned the best part of a century.

From BBC ● Jul. 17, 2026

Appeared in the July 17, 2026, print edition as 'President Vance Goes AWOL'.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Jul. 16, 2026

When it eventually takes off, the flight's aims will be similar to those of a mostly successful voyage carried out in May, which debuted the latest edition of the powerful Starship, its third-generation model.

From Barron's ● Jul. 16, 2026

Appeared in the July 17, 2026, print edition as 'China’s Soaring Exports, Tech Mask Economic Gloom at Home'.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Jul. 16, 2026

Nobody published a proper study of the 1576 edition until 1934.

From "The Invention of Science" by David Wootton

On Adidas’s website, authentic match jerseys for both finalists are available in full-size runs, home and away, including Messi editions.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Jul. 16, 2026

Haywood-Williams and Odoom, who have both appeared on editions of Strictly Come Dancing, said presenting on Radio 1 has been an "unforgettable experience".

From BBC ● Jul. 15, 2026

Argentina have reached the World Cup last four for the third time in the past four editions - 2014, 2022, 2026.

From BBC ● Jul. 12, 2026

Criterion, which has long put out high-end home video editions of Anderson’s work and recently issued a 20-disc box set, will also have a special presence at the Bowl.

From Los Angeles Times ● Jul. 8, 2026

The library had plenty of editions of Anne Frank’s diary, but not one included a poem.

From "Newjack: Guarding Sing Sing" by Ted Conover

Related Words

• copy
• program
• publication
• release
• version
• volume