publicize
Americanverb (used with object)
verb
Other Word Forms
Derived Forms
Inflected Forms
Participles
Conjugated Forms
Present
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publicizesimple
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publicizessimple
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have publicizedperfect
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has publicizedperfect
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am publicizingprogressive
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are publicizingprogressive
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is publicizingprogressive
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have been publicizingperfect progressive
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has been publicizingperfect progressive
Past
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publicizedsimple
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had publicizedperfect
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was publicizingprogressive
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were publicizingprogressive
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had been publicizingperfect progressive
Future
Etymology
Origin of publicize
Explanation
When you publicize something, you let the whole world know about it. The president might hold a press conference to publicize a new policy, or you might use Facebook to publicize your new relationship status. To make something very widely known, or to make an official announcement about it, is to publicize it. Companies publicize new products and sale prices, and politicians publicize the missteps and bad policies of their opponents. The verb publicize was first used at the beginning of the twentieth century, combining public, with its Latin root of publicus, "of the people, common, or general," and the verb-making suffix ize.
Vocabulary lists containing publicize
"Journeys," Vocabulary from Lesson 3
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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.
"We'll be able to publicize that and reinforce the message that it is not acceptable to abuse retail or any other public-facing workers."
From BBC • Jun. 20, 2026
The Treasury Department will launch a new website, TrumpIRA.gov, to publicize the matching funds and issue guidance for private-sector donors who want to contribute to workers’ accounts, a media report said.
From MarketWatch • Apr. 30, 2026
The so-called “good” ones supposedly remain silent about their partners’ indiscretions, while those who publicize their misdeeds are painted as thankless harpies.
From Salon • Apr. 30, 2026
No wonder the Bruins didn’t publicize the deal at the time.
From Los Angeles Times • Feb. 18, 2026
And she continued to use her newspaper column, along with her lectures, radio talks, and press conferences, to publicize her views on social justice.
From "The Voice That Challenged a Nation: Marian Anderson and the Struggle for Equal Rights" by Russell Freedman
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.
