publicity

[ puh-blis-i-tee ]

noun

1. extensive mention in the news media or by word of mouth or other means of communication.
2. public notice so gained.
3. the measures, process, or business of securing public notice.
4. information, articles, or advertisements issued to secure public notice or attention.
5. the state of being public, or open to general observation or knowledge.

publicity

/ pʌˈblɪsɪtɪ /

noun

1. 1. the technique or process of attracting public attention to people, products, etc, as by the use of the mass media
   2. ( as modifier )

      a publicity agent

2. public interest resulting from information supplied by such a technique or process
3. information used to draw public attention to people, products, etc
4. the state of being public

Other Words From

• nonpub·lici·ty noun
• over·pub·lici·ty noun
• propub·lici·ty adjective
• super·pub·lici·ty noun

Word History and Origins

Origin of publicity¹

1785–95; < French publicité < Medieval Latin pūblicitās. See public, -ity

Word History and Origins

Origin of publicity¹

C18: via French from Medieval Latin pūblicitās; see public

Example Sentences

He also admitted to Coltart that he took photographs of naked boys, but said they were "from shoulders up" for publicity purposes.

From BBC

Jones wanted to save Powell from being associated with the negative publicity that surrounded rap music.

From BBC

Gun told the radio show that the negative backlash and subsequent level of publicity led her to decide she needed to quit competitive breakdancing.

From Salon

"I don't only see them as getting paid money to promote sport for Saudi Arabia - I see them as influencing girls to believe this publicity and fall as victims like my sister."

From BBC

"And, of course, it may be that the publicity around the sale prompts relatives of the lady with the Norwich address to come forward."

From BBC

Related Words

• attention
• clout
• commercial
• distribution
• fame
• hoopla
• hype
• noise
• notoriety
• propaganda