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

Appeared in the July 29, 2026, print edition as 'Rare Uncertainty Marks This Fed Meeting'.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Jul. 29, 2026

Appeared in the July 29, 2026, print edition as 'The Answer to the Academic Achievement Gap Is Obvious'.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Jul. 28, 2026

The six shortlisted authors will receive £2,500 each and a specially bound edition of their book, while the eventual winner will receive a trophy and £50,000 in prize money.

From BBC ● Jul. 28, 2026

Appeared in the July 29, 2026, print edition as 'Thank You for Your Success, He Said'.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Jul. 28, 2026

It was the slim edition of The Gold-Bug wedged between the trash can and the wall that consumed his thoughts.

From "Book Scavenger" by Jennifer Chambliss Bertman

Although on a smaller scale to previous editions, the 23rd Games will see a record 47 para-sports events.

From BBC ● Jul. 23, 2026

In an effort to persuade voters who are dissatisfied with the status quo, Hilton bought a full-page ad in the Wednesday editions of the Los Angeles Times and San Francisco Chronicle.

From Los Angeles Times ● Jul. 22, 2026

I have some exciting editions planned, but I also want to hear from you: What money matters are vexing you?

From MarketWatch ● Jul. 21, 2026

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

Even so, his moon book went through at least nineteen editions in French and two in English before the end of the century.

From "The Invention of Science" by David Wootton

Related Words

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