advertisement
Americannoun
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advertisements
plural
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a paid announcement, as of goods for sale, in newspapers or magazines, on radio or television, or on the internet.
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a public notice, especially in print.
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the action of making generally known; a calling to the attention of the public.
The news of this event will receive wide advertisement.
noun
Other Word Forms
Derived Forms
Inflected Forms
Nouns
Etymology
Origin of advertisement
First recorded in 1425–75; late Middle English, from Middle French avertissement; see origin at advertise, -ment
Explanation
A public notice promoting the sale of a certain item is called an advertisement. The word is often shortened to ad. They're on TV, on the radio, online, in the paper — you can't even escape advertisements at the movies. Although advertisements are usually meant to persuade, they aren't always just for selling goods. They're a great way to get the word out on just about anything. You can place an advertisement for all kinds of things: to look for your long-lost sister, to hire an employee, or to announce a local dance. Even way back in the 1600s, the British were posting advertisements for trips to a newfound place called "Virginia."
Vocabulary lists containing advertisement
Media Literacy - High School
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Media Literacy - Middle School
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Cormac McCarthy's "The Road"
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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.
See Examples For:
He also came across an online advertisement for a law firm dubbed the Crypto Lawyers.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Sep. 10, 2026
In January, he took out a full-page advertisement in the Wall Street Journal attributing his past behaviour to his bipolar disorder.
From Barron's ● Aug. 28, 2026
Content creator and golf brand Good Good has apologised and removed an advertisement for a new golf driver which showed a woman being pushed to the ground after reaching for the club.
From BBC ● Aug. 23, 2026
In 2023, representatives on the House Transportation Committee proposed a bill that would have allowed airlines to prioritize advertisement of the base fare.
From Los Angeles Times ● Aug. 14, 2026
He no longer read newspapers because each one he opened seemed to have the advertisement that Kainene’s parents had placed, with the photo of Kainene taken by the pool, under the heading MISSING.
From "Half of a Yellow Sun" by Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie
They often find their victims through social media, text messages, dating sites, messaging apps such as WhatsApp and Telegram, online advertisements, or even third parties, the bureau says.
From MarketWatch ● Sep. 14, 2026
The claim said a potentially unlimited number of third parties used it to customise advertisements to Grindr's users.
From BBC ● Sep. 7, 2026
Many visitors will have first encountered some of the artists in vintage magazines, books and even advertisements, and much of the art is filled with wonder and hope.
From Los Angeles Times ● Sep. 2, 2026
Coutinho said TikTok had committed to suspending all advertisements for users who are not logged in.
From Barron's ● Aug. 25, 2026
He and the National Party conducted a sophisticated, expensive, American-style political campaign accompanied by extensive newspaper and television advertisements, bumper stickers, and colorful rallies.
From "Long Walk to Freedom" by Nelson Mandela
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.
