1.
extra edition; special edition (of a newspaper)
A special newspaper edition published outside the regular schedule to report breaking news of major importance. Traditionally distributed free on the street.
号外が出た。
An extra edition was published.
駅前で号外を配っていた。
They were handing out extra editions in front of the station.
戦争終結のニュースが号外で伝えられ、人々は歓声を上げた。
The news of the war's end was announced in an extra edition, and people cheered.
Composed of 号 (number, issue) and 外 (outside) — literally an issue 'outside' the regular numbering. A 号外 is published only for truly major events: elections, natural disasters, historic achievements, or declarations of war/peace.
CULTURAL CONTEXT:
In Japan, 号外 are traditionally single-sheet papers distributed by hand near train stations. Even in the digital age, major newspapers still print physical 号外 for landmark events, and crowds gather to receive them as keepsakes.
COMMON COLLOCATIONS:
- 号外が出る — an extra edition comes out
- 号外を配る — to distribute extra editions
- 号外を出す — to publish an extra edition
RELATED TERMS:
- 夕刊 — evening edition (of a newspaper)
- 朝刊 — morning edition (of a newspaper)
- 臨時ニュース — breaking news bulletin (broadcast equivalent)