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Language Foundation

publish

to make a document available to its intended readers or users, especially by releasing a finished version for reading, viewing, or distribution.

In plain English

This means putting a document out for the people it is meant for, rather than only keeping it in preparation. In this sense, it usually involves releasing a version that is treated as finished so it can be read, viewed, or given out.

In context

Here, publish labels the action of making the document available to the people it is intended for by releasing a finished version for reading, viewing, or distribution.

Situation
Creating, saving, sharing, versioning, and restoring files
What it communicates
labels the action for putting the document into a published sharing state.

Meaning limits

By itself, publish does not say who the intended readers or users are, or how widely the document will be available.

Examples

“The committee published the final report after the chair signed it.”

Core meaning

“By Friday, the visitor guide had been published for new students.”

In context

  • release Broader Term

    Publishing a document is one way of releasing it for access or distribution.

  • self-publish Narrower Term

    This is a special case of publishing in which the author or creator arranges the publication directly.