public relations

noun

plural in form but usually singular in construction

often attributive

: the business of inducing the public to have understanding for and goodwill toward a person, firm, or institution

also : the degree of understanding and goodwill achieved

Examples of public relations in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

Bruce moonlights as a cable-news pundit and is the head of public relations at Westwin Elements. —Tara Palmeri, Vanity Fair, 12 Jan. 2026

Andrew Freeman is the founder of boutique marketing and public relations firm AF&Co and the co-founder of creative agency Carbonate. —Karla Walsh, Better Homes & Gardens, 11 Jan. 2026

Since then, and in the wake of a 2019 state transparency law, California police agencies have increasingly turned to public relations firms to produce slick, persuasive videos explaining police shootings. —Jakob Rodgers, Mercury News, 9 Jan. 2026

David Motley, the city’s public relations director, said the city wants to complete the project while funding from the IEPA remains available. —Steve Sadin, Chicago Tribune, 9 Jan. 2026

Word History

First Known Use

1898, in the meaning defined above

Rhymes for public relations

• abbreviations
• abominations
• accelerations
• accommodations
• accumulations
• adjudications
• administrations
• adulterations
• affiliations
• agglomerations
• alienations
• amalgamations

Kids Definition

public relations

noun

1

: the business of creating public goodwill for a person, firm, or institution

2

: the degree of understanding and goodwill achieved