publicize
Americanverb (used with object)
verb
Other Word Forms
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.
It’s time to publicize the school’s work in a way that resonates with the student body.
From The Wall Street Journal • May 17, 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, the 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
Defense attorneys for the accused challenged the wisdom of prosecuting “doxxing” cases, as the alleged victims will be required to testify and publicize the very information they were trying to protect.
From Los Angeles Times • Mar. 6, 2026
“I’ll prove it to you. Do you think I’d publicize somebody knocking me like I do him?”
From "The Autobiography of Malcolm X" by Alex Malcolm X;Hailey
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.
