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

Almost no good, which to a capable publicist, is good enough. — Rafaela Bassili, Vulture, 30 Oct. 2026

Although 27 years have passed since Bessette Kennedy, her husband and her sister Lauren Bessette perished in a fatal private plane crash off the coast of Martha’s Vineyard, the former Calvin Klein publicist’s influence on fashion carries on. — Rosemary Feitelberg, Footwear News, 29 Oct. 2026

On the advice of his publicist, Billy begrudgingly returns to Texas to lay low and spend the holidays with his sister (Canning) and her family. — Rachel Labonte, Entertainment Weekly, 29 Oct. 2026

Ava DuVernay, who was a publicist for Parks’s 2000 documentary, Half Past Autumn, wrote one. — Nate Freeman, Vanity Fair, 27 Oct. 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