advocacy

noun

ad·​vo·​ca·​cy ˈad-və-kə-sē 

: the act or process of supporting a cause or proposal : the act or process of advocating (see advocate entry 2) something

known for his advocacy of gay rights

Examples of advocacy in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

An Oklahoma cannabis policy reform advocacy group this week began collecting signatures in support of a constitutional amendment to legalize recreational cannabis in the Sooner State. —A.j. Herrington, Forbes.com, 6 Aug. 2025

The state executed Byron Black on Tuesday, Aug. 5, after Gov. Bill Lee declined requests from attorneys, advocacy groups and even some Republicans to intervene. —Amanda Lee Myers, USA Today, 5 Aug. 2025

If consumers pull back, swaths of those companies could close, says Todd McCracken, president and CEO of the National Small Business Association advocacy group. —Megan Sauer, CNBC, 4 Aug. 2025

The American Jewish Committee, an advocacy group that supports Israel, backs the policy, Holly Huffnagle, the group's director of antisemitism policy, told Reuters. —Gabe Whisnant, MSNBC Newsweek, 4 Aug. 2025

Word History

Etymology

Middle English advocacie "intercession," borrowed from Anglo-French advocassie "pleading," borrowed from Medieval Latin advocatia "patronage," from Latin advocātus advocate entry 1 + -ia -y entry 2

First Known Use

14th century, in the meaning defined above

Phrases Containing advocacy

• advocacy journalism

Kids Definition

advocacy

noun

ad·​vo·​ca·​cy ˈad-və-kə-sē 

: the act or process of advocating : support

Legal Definition

advocacy

noun

ad·​vo·​ca·​cy ˈad-və-kə-sē 

1

: the profession or work of an advocate

2

: the action of advocating, pleading for, or supporting a cause or proposal

a consequence of his moving advocacy

—W. O. Douglas