What does gazette mean?
A gazette is a formal publication that records official notices, announcements, regulations, and other public information. It may be issued by a government, court, university, company, or other institution, and its name is particularly associated with official records that give public notice of decisions or events. The word is usually understood in a formal and authoritative context: to say that something appears in the gazette suggests that it has been formally published rather than merely reported. In historical writing, gazettes often served as early newspapers, circulating news, proclamations, and commercial information. As a verb, to gazette something means to publish or announce it in such an official periodical. The term is more formal than everyday alternatives such as bulletin, announcement, or notice, and its use can imply legal or administrative importance.
An official periodical or publication containing notices, announcements, and other public information, especially issued by a government or other authority.
"The regulation was published in the national gazette."
Formal and commonly used in legal, governmental, institutional, and historical contexts.
To publish or announce information in a gazette.
"The secretary gazetted the appointment of the new directors."
Relatively uncommon and formal; it implies official publication.
The usual plural form, used when referring to multiple official publications or gazettes.
"The notices appeared in the gazettes of several colonies."
The word began with a Venetian coin bearing the image of a magpie, a curious origin for a publication associated with government announcements.
Reviewed by Deb Chak, Editor. AI-assisted content curated by RJS Tech Solutions LLP.
Where does gazette come from?
English borrowed the word through French gazette, from Italian gazzetta. Italian gazzetta was a diminutive related to gazza, “magpie,” and was also the name of a Venetian coin bearing a magpie image. The related English word gazetteer developed within the same Italian and French vocabulary, initially referring to a compiler or collection of news and later to a geographical reference work.
Related word forms
How gazette is actually used
Gazette is formal and often legal, administrative, or institutional. The noun is especially common in official, historical, and governmental contexts, while the verb is much rarer and means to publish or announce officially.
Easily confused with gazette
A gazette is an official publication of notices or announcements, whereas a gazetteer is a reference book listing places, geographical features, or related information.