public relations

American  

noun

1. (used with a plural verb) the actions of a corporation, store, government, individual, etc., in promoting goodwill between itself and the public, the community, employees, customers, etc.

2. (used with a singular verb) the art, technique, or profession of promoting such goodwill.

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public relations British  

noun

1. 1. the practice of creating, promoting, or maintaining goodwill and a favourable image among the public towards an institution, public body, etc

   2. the methods and techniques employed

   3. ( as modifier )

      the public relations industry

2. the condition of the relationship between an organization and the public

3. the professional staff employed to create, promote, or maintain a favourable relationship between an organization and the public

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Etymology

Origin of public relations

First recorded in 1800–10

Example Sentences

Often the decision-making involves external law firms, internal investigations and discussions with everyone from human-resources specialists to strategists in crisis public relations, executives and attorneys say.

From The Wall Street Journal • May 12, 2026

The building is home to an exhibit about the life of the church’s founder, L. Ron Hubbard, and is also the listed mailing address for Scientology’s public relations department.

From Los Angeles Times • May 8, 2026

The court also earlier heard allegations by the prosecution that Wilson had ordered a US public relations firm to create websites to paint Ghost as an "Indian Ghislaine Maxwell".

From BBC • Apr. 27, 2026

Orange-industry groups hired medical professionals as spokespeople in public relations, and kicked off an emergency ad campaign addressing what they branded “juice confusion.”

From Slate • Apr. 20, 2026

Christened the Sagarmatha Environmental Expedition, Fischer’s team removed 5,000 pounds of trash from the mountain—which was very good for the landscape and turned out to be even better public relations.

From "Into Thin Air" by Jon Krakauer