advertisement

noun

ad·​ver·​tise·​ment ˌad-vər-ˈtīz-mənt 

əd-ˈvər-təz-mənt, 

-tə-smənt 

plural advertisements

1

: a public notice

especially : a paid notice that is published or broadcast (as to attract customers or to provide information of public interest)

an advertisement for a new car/movie/business

advertisements for job openings

radio/television/online advertisements

took out a full-page advertisement

2

: the act or process of advertising something

Rules could also be introduced pertaining to the advertisement of unhealthy food …

—Brooke Rolfe

3

: something resembling an advertisement (as in alerting someone to something)

Many people in the UK like to put their Christmas tree up in their front window and pile gifts up beneath it. This might look good to your neighbours, but it's just an advertisement for a thief to nick your loot!

—Kate Whitfield

especially : a person or thing that shows how good or effective something is

The 25-year-old from Cameroon has become a[n] … advertisement for perseverance.

—Lethbridge (Alberta) News Now

A CV [=curriculum vitae] is the chance to impress employers, and it is an advertisement for skills and experience.

—Laura Davies and Lucinda Reid

Synonyms of advertisement

• ad
• announcement
• release
• advertising

Examples of advertisement in a Sentence

The advertisement will appear in three magazines.

He learned about the job from an advertisement in the newspaper.

The company has spent a lot of money on advertisement.

Recent Examples on the Web

The Senate election was the most expensive non-presidential race on record in advertisement spending, according to AdImpact, which tracks ad buys. — Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 4 Nov. 2026

Ford faced scrutiny of his own after his campaign aired an advertisement featuring a member of the Las Vegas Police Protective Association, despite the union having endorsed Lombardo. — Claire Carter, The Washington Examiner, 4 Nov. 2026

The recent advertisement addressing the president’s immigration policies did not change her support for Salazar – or that of the group of friends who attended the watch party alongside her. — Alex Harris, Miami Herald, 4 Nov. 2026

Despite Durkin’s assessment about a lack of pro-AI messaging in the state, one pro-AI group has poured cash into television advertisements lauding the benefits of the technology. — Sasha Rogelberg, Fortune, 4 Nov. 2026

Word History

Etymology

Middle English, borrowed from Anglo-French avertisement, advertissement, from avertiss-, advertiss-, stem of avertir, advertir "to notify, (reflexive) recognize, be mindful of" + -ment -ment — more at advert entry 1

First Known Use

15th century, in the meaning defined at sense 2

Phrases Containing advertisement

• banner advertisement
• self-advertisement

Kids Definition

advertisement

noun

ad·​ver·​tise·​ment ˌad-vər-ˈtīz-mənt  əd-ˈvərt-əz- 

1

: the act or process of advertising

2

: a public notice

especially : one published or broadcast