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

See Examples For:

public relations

Its simple, optimistic message — polished with the help of BP’s sophisticated public relations expertise — had an irresistible allure.

From Salon ● Jun. 26, 2026

Tencent shares posted their largest gain in three weeks after the company’s public relations head, Zhang Jun, said on social media that internal testing has started on new AI agent Dayuan.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Jun. 24, 2026

But it abandoned the strategy because its legal dragnet swept up sympathetic targets such as single mothers and teenage girls, creating a public relations disaster.

From Los Angeles Times ● Jun. 18, 2026

David Kudla, CEO of Mainstay Capital Management, another Barron’s-ranked advisor, says the move by Fidelity might be more about public relations than anything else.

From Barron's ● Jun. 4, 2026

Unlikely to win the battle on its merits, Edison devoted considerable resources to trying to discredit AC in the realm of public relations: AC, he and his supporters asserted, was much more lethal than DC.

From "Newjack: Guarding Sing Sing" by Ted Conover