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

Human-rights and Palestinian-advocacy groups were attacking him on social media for failing to act. —David D. Kirkpatrick, New Yorker, 5 Oct. 2025

The broad cuts have raised backlash from nursing home operators and patient advocacy groups. —Bram Sable-Smith, NPR, 5 Oct. 2025

Still, advocacy groups and independent researchers question whether these efforts are enough, and Meta's strong defense shows just how high the stakes are in the teen safety debate. —Kurt Knutsson, FOXNews.com, 4 Oct. 2025

One worked with a Muslim advocacy group contesting LGBTQ themes in school textbooks. —Arash Azizi, The Atlantic, 4 Oct. 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