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; print, -ing ¹

Example Sentences

In the mid-2000s, Zimbabwe underwent a period of hyperinflation that resulted in printing banknotes worth 100 trillion dollars.

From Salon • Apr. 4, 2026

It also opens the door to new ways of controlling liquids in applications ranging from hydraulics and 3D printing to blood flow in the body.

From Science Daily • Mar. 30, 2026

Taiwan’s 13,000+ convenience stores serve 23 million people, offering diverse services like bill payments, parcel pickup, and document printing.

From Barron's • Mar. 21, 2026

Questioned on the podcast as to whether this would include printing more money and more borrowing, Polanski said there would be "deep consideration" of the costs and benefits of a Green investment budget.

From BBC • Mar. 20, 2026

Shakespeare is not aware of living in a distinctly ‘modern’ world, despite the compass, the printing press, gunpowder and the discovery of America.

From "The Invention of Science" by David Wootton

Related Words

• copy
• distribution
• issuance