publicity
Americannoun
-
extensive mention in the news media or by word of mouth or other means of communication.
-
public notice so gained.
-
the measures, process, or business of securing public notice.
-
information, articles, or advertisements issued to secure public notice or attention.
-
the state of being public, or open to general observation or knowledge.
noun
-
-
the technique or process of attracting public attention to people, products, etc, as by the use of the mass media
-
( as modifier )
a publicity agent
-
-
public interest resulting from information supplied by such a technique or process
-
information used to draw public attention to people, products, etc
-
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
Looking to grow your vocabulary? Check out this interactive, curated word list from our team of English language specialists at Vocabulary.com – one of over 17,000 lists we've built to help learners worldwide!
"The Civil Rights Movement"
Interested in learning more words like this one? Our team at Vocabulary.com has got you covered! You can review flashcards, quiz yourself, practice spelling, and more – and it's all completely free to use!
Our America
Want to remember this word for good? Start your learning journey today with our library of interactive, themed word lists built by the experts at Vocabulary.com – we'll help you make the most of your study time!
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.
The brand went on the offensive, sending former president Greg Creed on a publicity tour to emphasize food safety—including recommending Taco Bell to his daughter and her college friends.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Jul. 23, 2026
But John believes all of it to be an elaborate publicity stunt concocted by Arcane — or, at least, that’s what he tells himself.
From Salon ● Jul. 17, 2026
Thompson, the job seeker, is looking for her next role in brand strategy, marketing or publicity, and is focusing her search on the tech, healthcare and entertainment sectors.
From MarketWatch ● Jul. 15, 2026
A local Venezuelan footballer press and publicity organisation, Cumaná de Campeones, also posted about her death.
From BBC ● Jun. 26, 2026
She did not yet realize that almost any kind of publicity could be risky.
From "The Woman All Spies Fear" by Amy Butler Greenfield
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.
