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

Allan was excited about the progress being made, but frustrated that she was becoming known more for her advocacy than her brewing skills. —Madeline Mitchell, USA Today, 11 Oct. 2025

No ad budget can replicate that kind of advocacy. —Erik Huberman, Rolling Stone, 10 Oct. 2025

In 2023, Iranian activist Narges Mohammadi was honored for her advocacy on behalf of women’s rights and her resistance to theocratic rule. —Shane Croucher, MSNBC Newsweek, 10 Oct. 2025

This year, at the start of HHM, the company shouted out its resource group for Latine employees, its partnership with the Latine civil rights and advocacy group UnidosUs, and boasted its 37 percent Hispanic/Latine workforce. —Sofía Viera, Allure, 10 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