edition

American  

[ih-dish-uhn] / ɪˈdɪʃ ən /

noun

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. (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

• preedition noun

Etymology

Origin of edition

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

Appeared in the April 14, 2026, print edition as 'Blockade Puts Another Chokepoint at Risk in Red Sea'.

From The Wall Street Journal • Apr. 14, 2026

The Rolling Stones have mysteriously released a new limited edition single on vinyl only, under the band name The Cockroaches, further fueling speculation the British rockers are poised to drop a 25th studio album.

From Barron's • Apr. 13, 2026

The L.A. edition of “Pokémon Night Out” will be held at the Intuit Dome on Oct.

From Los Angeles Times • Apr. 13, 2026

Lawrence Booth delivered his damning assessment in the influential editor's notes of the 163rd edition of the Almanack, which is published on Thursday.

From BBC • Apr. 13, 2026

Editor’s note: for Muggle edition, usual guff: ‘obvious fiction—all good fun—nothing to worry about—hope you enjoy it’

From "Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them" by J.K. Rowling

Related Words

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