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

Two labor unions and an advocacy group sued the SSA. —Maureen Groppe, USA Today, 3 May 2025

The environmental advocacy group Earthjustice has said that the rule forced 1,800 facilities across the country to tighten air pollution controls to comply with the law. —Tracy J. Wholf, CBS News, 2 May 2025

Her recent Blue Origin flight marked a milestone in a career that bridges aerospace, entrepreneurship and global advocacy for STEM, which is an umbrella term for science, technology, engineering and mathematics to promote their study. —Etan Vlessing, HollywoodReporter, 1 May 2025

Kennedy has faced criticism over his past anti-vaccine advocacy, stirring doubts about the efficacy of the COVID-19 vaccine in particular. —Julia Mueller, The Hill, 1 May 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