Meanings
plural dead tree editions · alternative dead-tree edition
- derogatoryhumorousidiomaticslangThe physical, printed version of a publication.
dead-tree edition Derogatory cyberspeak for the paper version of a periodical....
2004, William R. Tracey, The Human Resources Glossary, page 1671 more example
The city's major daily newspaper, the Oregonian, is losing subscribers to the dead-tree edition but has a large online following.
2011, Rachel Dresbeck, Insiders' Guide to Portland, Oregon, →ISBN, page 322Synonyms: hard copy
Synonyms & antonyms
nounThe physical, printed version of a publication.
Origin
A dysphemism, referring to the raw materials from trees used in the manufacture of paper.
Full word history & related roots →Cite this entry
dead tree edition. (n.d.). In WatkinsX Dictionary. Retrieved November 2, 2026, from https://dictionary.watkinsx.com/word/dead%20tree%20edition
“dead tree edition.” WatkinsX Dictionary, https://dictionary.watkinsx.com/word/dead%20tree%20edition. Accessed November 2, 2026.
WatkinsX Dictionary, s.v. “dead tree edition,” accessed November 2, 2026, https://dictionary.watkinsx.com/word/dead%20tree%20edition.
Source: dead tree edition on Wiktionary, CC BY-SA 4.0.