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

Jef I. Richards is a professor emeritus of advertising and public relations at Michigan State University’s College of Communication Arts and Sciences.

From The Wall Street Journal • Apr. 15, 2026

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

“For nearly three decades, the Mark Twain Prize has celebrated some of the greatest minds in comedy,” Roma Daravi, vice president of public relations for the Kennedy Center, said in a statement of her own.

From Los Angeles Times • Mar. 26, 2026

"Their public relations team just seemed to try and convince us that the world was all lollipops and unicorns."

From BBC • Mar. 13, 2026

One week later she got a corrected version back from Joseph Kelly, the head of public relations at Hopkins.

From "The Immortal Life of Henrietta Lacks" by Rebecca Skloot