magazine
ma-guh-ZEEN
Magazine (noun) means a periodical publication containing articles, photos, or features by various writers, usually on a particular topic or aimed at a particular audience. Example: “She subscribes to a gardening magazine that arrives every month.”
noun
1
A periodical publication containing articles, photos, or features by various writers, usually on a particular topic or aimed at a particular audience.
"She subscribes to a gardening magazine that arrives every month."
"The interview appeared in a glossy fashion magazine."
"I bought a travel magazine to read on the long train journey."
2
The removable component of a firearm that holds and feeds ammunition rounds.
"He ejected the empty magazine and slotted in a fresh one."
"The officer checked that the magazine was empty before handing the weapon over."
"A spring inside the magazine pushes each round upwards into position."
3
A store or room used to hold ammunition or explosives.
"The old fort still has a stone magazine where gunpowder was once kept."
"Soldiers once stored barrels of gunpowder in the magazine beneath the castle."
"The ship's magazine was kept locked and well away from any flames."
How to use magazine
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishMost commonly a print or online publication with articles and photos; also the ammunition-holding part of a gun.
Common mistake
Don't confuse with "magazine" meaning a warehouse — that older sense survives mainly in "powder magazine" and similar phrases.
Common pairings
fashion magazine
magazine subscription
load a magazine
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Word forms
- Plural
- magazines
Fill the gap
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She subscribes to a gardening _____ that arrives every month.
Etymology
From Middle French magasin ("warehouse, store"), from Italian magazzino, ultimately from Arabic makhāzin, plural of makhzan ("storeroom"). The publication sense developed in the 1730s from the idea of a "storehouse" of information.
Class of 1730
magazine joined the language around 1730.
See the full Class of 1730 →
Synonyms
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periodical
publication
journal
glossy
zine
clip
mag
cartridge
powder store
cartridge clip
powder magazine
cartridge holder
Related words
Rhymes for magazine
See all rhymes for magazine →Frequently asked questions
What does “magazine” mean?
The word “magazine” means a periodical publication containing articles, photos, or features by various writers, usually on a particular topic or aimed at a particular audience. In plain terms, most commonly a print or online publication with articles and photos; also the ammunition-holding part of a gun.
How do you pronounce “magazine”?
“Magazine” is pronounced ma-guh-ZEEN (/ˌmæɡəˈziːn/ in IPA).
How do you use “magazine” in a sentence?
Here is “magazine” used in a sentence: “She subscribes to a gardening magazine that arrives every month.”
What part of speech is “magazine”?
“Magazine” is a noun.
Where does the word “magazine” come from?
The word “magazine” dates back to around 1730 and comes from Middle French.
Is “magazine” a common word?
“Magazine” is a fairly common word in modern English, usually learned at around the A1 level.
How many meanings does “magazine” have?
“Magazine” has 3 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: a periodical publication containing articles, photos, or features by various writers, usually on a particular topic or aimed at a particular audience.
What is the difference between a magazine and a newspaper?
A newspaper is usually printed daily on plain newsprint and focuses on current news. A magazine appears less often — weekly, monthly, or quarterly — on glossier paper, and concentrates on features, articles, and photography around a theme or audience. Magazines favour depth and design, while newspapers favour timeliness and news.
What is the difference between a magazine and a journal?
A magazine is a popular publication aimed at general readers, with features, photos, and a lively style. A journal is usually scholarly or professional, containing peer-reviewed research written for specialists. Magazines entertain and inform broadly, while journals document serious study within a field. The tone, audience, and rigour set them apart.
What are the types of magazines?
Magazines are often grouped by audience and content. Consumer magazines cover lifestyle, fashion, news, sport, or hobbies for the general public. Trade magazines target a specific profession or industry. There are also news magazines, literary magazines, and academic-leaning titles, each shaped around the interests of its particular readership.
Why is it called a magazine?
The word comes from the Arabic 'makhzan,' meaning storehouse, by way of French and Italian. Early magazines were seen as storehouses of information — collections of varied writing gathered in one place. The same root explains why the ammunition holder in a firearm is also called a magazine.
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