édition

Édition is a French noun with two related meanings: the act of preparing and producing a text for publication, and the version of a work as it is published. In publishing, an edition can refer to the set of copies produced at a given time or to the specific text and format that appear in that print run. The term comes from Latin editio, from edere “to bring forth.”

In the publishing process, édition encompasses the series of steps that lead from manuscript to book: editing, copy editing, proofreading, design, layout, typesetting, and final production. Editors, authors, designers, and printers collaborate to create a defined text and format, often with an edition statement on the copyright page or imprint. The edition thus captures a particular textual form and presentation, which may change across versions.

Various edition types exist, including the first edition, revised edition, second edition, collector’s edition, deluxe edition, limited edition, and facsimile edition. Digital formats give rise to the digital or e-edition. Editions differ in text, illustrations, pagination, and physical or digital format, and are identified by edition numbers, year, and often an International Standard Book Number (ISBN).

In periodicals, édition can also denote a specific issue or printing, such as a late edition or a special issue, reflecting production timing and content variations. Libraries and bibliographies use edition information to distinguish among versions of the same work.

With the rise of digital publishing, édition now also covers ebooks and online editions, where rights management, metadata, and licensing play important roles in tracking edition histories and accessibility.