advertising

American  

[ad-ver-tahy-zing] / ˈæd vərˌtaɪ zɪŋ /

Or advertizing

noun

1. the act or practice of calling public attention to one's product, service, need, etc., especially by paid announcements in newspapers and magazines, over radio or television, on billboards, etc..

   to get more customers by advertising.

2. paid announcements; advertisements.

3. the profession of planning, designing, and writing advertisements.

---

advertising British  

/ ˈædvəˌtaɪzɪŋ /

noun

1. the promotion of goods or services for sale through impersonal media, such as radio or television

2. the business that specializes in creating such publicity

3. advertisements collectively; publicity

---

Other Word Forms

• counteradvertising noun
• proadvertising adjective
• proadvertizing adjective
• self-advertising adjective

Etymology

Origin of advertising

First recorded in 1520–30; advertise + -ing ¹

Explanation

Advertising is the act of drawing the public’s attention to something, usually to sell it. Whatever is written on the sandwich board you're wearing is what you're advertising. Advertising is getting the word out — whether it’s on a billboard, in a magazine ad, on a commercial, on the side of a blimp, or by singing it from the highest mountaintop. If you want to let people know about a product, service, or candidate, you run an advertising campaign. The word advertising may also be used for the advertisements themselves or the business of creating advertisements.

Example Sentences

But many in the market also believe that Netflix’s recent price increase, plus its growing advertising business, should contribute strongly to profitability this year, if not exactly in the first quarter.

From MarketWatch • Apr. 15, 2026

Her initial deal has a guaranteed minimum and revenue sharing on advertising; some other Vox Media shows have different structures.

From The Wall Street Journal • Apr. 15, 2026

The French advertising group said Tuesday that organic net revenue grew 4.5% in the first quarter, against consensus expectations compiled by the company of 4.3%.

From The Wall Street Journal • Apr. 14, 2026

It is not known what the duchess will be paid for her involvement in the event, which has not sold out and is still advertising a "handful of additional rooms".

From BBC • Apr. 13, 2026

Then he’d buy a natty suit so he could take meetings with advertising executives.

From "Dog Squad" by Chris Grabenstein