What does printout mean?
A printout is a copy of information produced by a computer or another electronic device, usually in a form that can be read on paper. In office and computing contexts, the term commonly refers to a physical printout, such as a report, invoice, list, or set of data pages. It can also mean the complete output generated by a program, whether or not it is printed. The word combines the older sense of “print” with the directional element “out,” reflecting the movement of information from a machine onto a page or other output medium. Although once strongly associated with dot-matrix printers, continuous-feed paper, and relatively slow printing, “printout” remains common for both physical copies and printable electronic files. It is especially useful when distinguishing a tangible or human-readable copy from editable digital data, although the related term “hard copy” is often preferred in formal technical contexts.
nounA printed copy of information produced by a computer or other electronic device. More broadly, it refers to the resulting output or a record of that output.
- A printed copy of computer-generated text, images, or other data.
- The complete output produced by a computer or electronic device.
"She saved the report as a printout and reviewed it before the meeting."
"The accounting software produces a printout of every transaction."
"He checked the printout carefully for errors before submitting it."
The regular plural is used for individual printed copies or separate sets of computer output.
"The office printed several copies of the daily printouts for the team."
A modern printout may never touch paper: it can simply be a digital file prepared for printing.
Reviewed by Deb Chak, Editor. AI-assisted content curated by RJS Tech Solutions LLP.
Etymology of printout
“Printout” is an English compound formed from “print” and “out.” Its computing sense developed during the mid-20th century as electronic computers and printers became widespread, with the word referring to information transferred from a machine to paper. Its modern digital-file sense is a later extension of that original meaning.
How printout is actually used
The term is most common in computing and office contexts. It is sometimes used informally for the act or process of printing digital information, although that usage can sound informal in careful technical writing.
Easily confused with printout
A printer is the device that produces a physical printout, whereas a printout is the resulting printed copy.