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

Three quarters of public relations pros surveyed by Muck Rack External link say they use AI on the job, with editing and writing among the most frequent uses and greatest timesavers.

From Barron's • Apr. 14, 2026

Maybe they’ll teach it as a public relations class one day.

From The Wall Street Journal • Apr. 5, 2026

Nikita Dilwali, a New York-based public relations junior partner, said she had been at a friend’s birthday party the other day when someone brought it up.

From The Wall Street Journal • Mar. 27, 2026

Asked why Iran was denying talks if they were indeed occurring, Trump said, “They’re going to have to get themselves better public relations people.”

From Los Angeles Times • Mar. 23, 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