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
Derived 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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Our America
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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.
Appeared in the December 6, 2025, print edition as 'A Salacious Stew of Publicity and Revenge'.
From The Wall Street Journal • Dec. 6, 2025
Publicity over scam centres operating in Chinese investment zones in Cambodia is now deterring Chinese tourists from visiting.
From BBC • Sep. 24, 2023
Publicity stunts aside, the Angels have endured an inordinate number of freak injuries, inexplicable losing streaks and bizarre occurrences.
From Los Angeles Times • Aug. 30, 2023
Publicity surrounding P-22, famously photographed prowling past the landmark Hollywood sign, helped raise funds for the world's largest wildlife overpass, over U.S.
From Reuters • Feb. 3, 2023
“Truthfully, this probably the best thing that could’ve happened to you. Publicity is publicity, I don’t give a damn how bad it is. It made you number one on Dat Cloud, didn’t it?”
From "On the Come Up" by Angie Thomas
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.
