publicity
Americannoun
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extensive mention in the news media or by word of mouth or other means of communication.
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public notice so gained.
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the measures, process, or business of securing public notice.
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information, articles, or advertisements issued to secure public notice or attention.
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the state of being public, or open to general observation or knowledge.
noun
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the technique or process of attracting public attention to people, products, etc, as by the use of the mass media
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( as modifier )
a publicity agent
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public interest resulting from information supplied by such a technique or process
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information used to draw public attention to people, products, etc
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the state of being public
Other Word Forms
Etymology
Origin of publicity
1785–95; < French publicité < Medieval Latin pūblicitās. See public, -ity
Explanation
Publicity is a public message whose purpose is to let people know about something, like a concert or a new product. If you go around town putting up posters that advertise a community production of "Annie," you are helping with the play's publicity. In the business world, it's common to hear the terms "publicity campaign" and "publicity stunt." Originally, the word publicity was used to mean "condition of being public," and it wasn't until 1826 that it took on a marketing or advertising meaning.
Vocabulary lists containing publicity
Face It: Selfie Vocab
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"The Civil Rights Movement"
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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.
She was a celebrity in the church, who appeared on publicity posters alongside her husband.
From BBC • May 22, 2026
"Safeguarding, dignity, and emotional wellbeing must always come before political publicity."
From BBC • May 22, 2026
Its announcement caught fire because the dire wolf was a species depicted in the TV series “Game of Thrones” — indeed, part of the company’s publicity campaign featured a shot of George R.R.
From Los Angeles Times • May 21, 2026
The “Five-Dollar Day”—part publicity stunt, part ruthless business tactic—jump-started a consumer revolution that drove the U.S. economy to 20th-century global dominance and still powers it today.
From Barron's • May 20, 2026
“But think of the publicity, Dad! Everybody would know about Ruby.”
From "The One and Only Ivan" by Katherine Applegate
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.
