Etymologically
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publisher

This is the current revision of this entry, as edited by bogdan on 16 October 2026 at 14:18. This address is a permanent link to this version.
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Pronunciation

  • IPA: /ˈpʌblɪʃɚ/ (US)[1]

Etymology

It is Middle English, formed from publishen, publish, and -er.[2][3]

Earliest recorded meaning

One who makes something public, who declares or proclaims: 1453 in the OED, the mid-15th century in Etymonline.[4][3]

Semantic evolution

One who gives a book to the public as author or editor is from 1654.[4] The commercial sense, one whose business is issuing books, newspapers, music or engravings, is from 1740.[3][4] One who puts counterfeit money into circulation is from 1828.[4] In the United States and Canada the publisher is also the owner of a newspaper.[5]

Timeline

  • 1453 – one who proclaims.[4]
  • 1654 – an author or editor.[4]
  • 1740 – the business sense.[4]
  • 1828 – one who circulates false money.[4]

Modern meaning

Noun

  1. A person or company that publishes books, newspapers, magazines or music.
  2. (US, Canada) The owner of a newspaper.

References

  1. ^ Wiktionary, the free dictionary, https://en.wiktionary.org
  2. ^ Merriam-Webster Unabridged Dictionary (2024), online ed., Springfield, Mass.: Merriam-Webster
  3. ^ a b c Harper, Douglas. Online Etymology Dictionary, https://www.etymonline.com
  4. ^ a b c d e f g h Simpson, J. A.; Weiner, E. S. C., eds. (1989), The Oxford English Dictionary, 2nd ed., Oxford: Clarendon Press
  5. ^ Collins English Dictionary (2023), Glasgow: HarperCollins