publicity

noun

pub·​lic·​i·​ty (ˌ)pə-ˈbli-sə-tē How to pronounce publicity (audio)
-ˈbli-stē
Synonyms of publicitynext
1
: the quality or state of being public
2
a
: an act or device designed to attract public interest
specifically : information with news value issued as a means of gaining public attention or support
b
: the dissemination of information or promotional material
c
: paid advertising
d
: public attention or acclaim

Synonyms of publicity

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Examples of publicity in a Sentence

His public appearances are good publicity for the new movie. An arrest for drunk driving is bad publicity for any celebrity. The film has gotten some good publicity. She has received a lot of publicity for her latest novel. The studio spent a lot of money on publicity for the movie.
Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
The Sussexes seem determined to turn every bit of publicity into a much larger PR strategy. — Stephanie Nolasco , Ashley Papa, FOXNews.com, 27 Oct. 2026 Since joining in 2006, Hooper’s work on publicity, awards and creative marketing helped earn the studio nearly 200 Oscar nominations and more than 130 Golden Globe nominations. — Payton Turkeltaub, Variety, 27 Oct. 2026 One attack, on August 9, 1931, received massive publicity when two senior police detectives were murdered and three other people were injured outside the Babylon Cinema in Bulowplatz, one of the biggest movie theaters in Berlin. — Literary Hub, 27 Oct. 2026 The commercials in question aired in violation of a decades-old congressional prohibition against using federal money for unauthorized publicity and propaganda. — Stephanie A, The Conversation, 26 Oct. 2026 See All Example Sentences for publicity

Word History

Etymology

borrowed from New Latin pūblicitāt-, pūblicitās, from Latin pūblicus public entry 1 + -itāt-, -itās -ity

First Known Use

1609, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of publicity was in 1609

Phrases Containing publicity

Rhymes for publicity

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Browse Nearby Words

publicist
publicity
publicity stunt
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Cite this Entry

“Publicity.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/publicity. Accessed 1 Nov. 2026.

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Kids Definition

publicity

noun
pub·​lic·​i·​ty (ˌ)pə-ˈblis-ət-ē How to pronounce publicity (audio)
1
: the condition of being public or publicly known
2
: an act or device designed to attract public interest
especially : information with a news value designed to further the interests of a place, person, or cause
3
a
: an action that gains public attention
b
: the attention so gained
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