publicist

noun

pub·​li·​cist ˈpə-blə-sist 

1

a

: an expert in international law

b

: an expert or commentator on public affairs

2

: one that publicizes

specifically : press agent

Examples of publicist in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

Baldoni denied the allegations and filed a $400 million countersuit accusing Lively, Ryan Reynolds, and Lively's publicist of defamation and extortion. — Declan Gallagher, Entertainment Weekly, 15 July 2026

Taylor and publicist Lori Krebs were papped by TMZ getting close in a pool in Mexico. — Bethy Squires, Vulture, 15 July 2026

The publicist has contacted SPIN’s top management with a tirade against me. — Matt Thompson, SPIN, 13 July 2026

That strategy scored her a small but memorable role in Joachim Trier’s Sentimental Value, playing publicist to Elle Fanning’s Rachel Kemp. — Seija Rankin, HollywoodReporter, 13 July 2026

Word History

Etymology

borrowed from New Latin pūblicista, probably from Latin pūblicum in jūs pūblicum "public law" (neuter of pūblicus public entry 1) + -ista -ist entry 1

Note: The Latin word was used in reference to expertise in public law within the Holy Roman Empire, a usage that apparently was extended to international law (traditionally jūs gentium "law of nations"). Earlier adaptations in German (Publicist, now Publizist) and French (publiciste) could be the direct source of the English word. Senses 1b and 2 may be from public(ize) + -ist entry 1.

First Known Use

1792, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Kids Definition

publicist

noun

pub·​li·​cist ˈpəb-lə-səst 

1

a

: an expert in international law

b

: an expert on public affairs

2

: press agent