publicity
Americannoun
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extensive mention in the news media or by word of mouth or other means of communication.
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public notice so gained.
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the measures, process, or business of securing public notice.
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information, articles, or advertisements issued to secure public notice or attention.
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the state of being public, or open to general observation or knowledge.
noun
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the technique or process of attracting public attention to people, products, etc, as by the use of the mass media
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( as modifier )
a publicity agent
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public interest resulting from information supplied by such a technique or process
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information used to draw public attention to people, products, etc
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the state of being public
Other Word Forms
Derived Forms
Etymology
Origin of publicity
1785–95; < French publicité < Medieval Latin pūblicitās. See public, -ity
Explanation
Publicity is a public message whose purpose is to let people know about something, like a concert or a new product. If you go around town putting up posters that advertise a community production of "Annie," you are helping with the play's publicity. In the business world, it's common to hear the terms "publicity campaign" and "publicity stunt." Originally, the word publicity was used to mean "condition of being public," and it wasn't until 1826 that it took on a marketing or advertising meaning.
Vocabulary lists containing publicity
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"The Civil Rights Movement"
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Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
RAD filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection in March, attributing its problems to publicity around the state investigation into the business and other “regulatory matters,” according to petition documents.
From Barron's • Jun. 2, 2026
“You’ve got your talent out there, they’re doing panels, they’re doing press, they’re doing covers,” the publicity executive notes.
From Los Angeles Times • Jun. 1, 2026
As the debate drags out, the publicity is tarnishing Club Med’s eco-credentials and could make it increasingly hard to sell the resort, which will also offer safaris, as a dream destination to potential guests.
From The Wall Street Journal • May 31, 2026
Earned media refers to publicity that a company doesn’t have to pay for, such as coverage by news outlets or social-media posts by fans.
From MarketWatch • May 29, 2026
The wave of publicity cemented the painting as a popular icon.
From "The Mona Lisa Vanishes" by Nicholas Day
Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
