publisher
Americannoun
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a person or company whose business is the publishing of books, periodicals, engravings, computer software, etc.
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the business head of a newspaper organization or publishing house, commonly the owner or the representative of the owner.
noun
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a company or person engaged in publishing periodicals, books, music, etc
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the proprietor of a newspaper or his representative
Other Word Forms
Noun Inflected Forms
Etymology
Origin of publisher
1425–75; late Middle English: one who proclaims publicly; see publish, -er 1
Explanation
A builder builds. A dancer dances. A publisher publishes — which is to say, oversees the printing, editing and, most importantly, the selling of books, magazines, websites, and even music. It's a matter of debate who is more important at a magazine, the editor or the publisher, but I'm sure you could get convincing arguments for either. The editor is in charge of content, while the publisher runs the business side of things and often owns the operation, too. The publisher of a newspaper is often also the owner. When a writer wants to get their book published — printed and sold — they send it to a publishing house, which may become the book's publisher.
Vocabulary lists containing publisher
Journalism
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Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
Publisher Random House has acquired the rights to the book, titled "Connie," written by bestselling author Adriana Trigiani, she announced in a post on Facebook on Wednesday.
From Barron's • May 14, 2026
The Washington Star trademark is currently owned by New York Sun Publisher Dovid Efune; Allbritton said he considered pursuing the name but ultimately went with the Star to reflect broader coverage.
From The Wall Street Journal • Apr. 23, 2026
Publisher Ballantine Books is borrowing from the romantasy playbook with collectible variations of Weir’s work.
From The Wall Street Journal • Apr. 3, 2026
Meanwhile, 200 pages in, the novel she owed Knopf Publisher and Editor in Chief Jordan Pavlin wasn’t coming together.
From Los Angeles Times • Feb. 24, 2026
He sat in the outer room and read the papers, and the Editor and Publisher and I worked hard for two hours.
From "The Sun Also Rises" by Ernest Hemingway
Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
