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

Applecart now specializes in using social data to provide insights to marketers and brands, as well as campaigns and advocacy groups. —Max Tani, semafor.com, 12 Jan. 2026

That trickles down to a loss of nearly 75,000 child care seats in 2024 alone, according to the advocacy nonprofit Children at Risk. —Wilborn P. Nobles Iii, Dallas Morning News, 12 Jan. 2026

During the legislative session of 2025, the nonprofit also organized education advocacy marches that drew thousands of people to the Texas Capitol. —Austin American Statesman, 12 Jan. 2026

Billionaire philanthropist MacKenzie Scott donated $45 million to The Trevor Project, a nonprofit suicide prevention and advocacy organization for LGBTQ young people, the organization announced Monday. —Emily Mae Czachor, CBS News, 12 Jan. 2026

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