advocacy

noun

ad·​vo·​ca·​cy ˈad-və-kə-sē How to pronounce advocacy (audio)
: 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 Gladstone’s advocacy efforts with the NIWRC includes projects such as teaching sculpture garden workshops as a means of violence prevention. Caroline Brew, Variety, 17 Nov. 2023 The Anti-Defamation League, a Jewish advocacy group, reported a 316% increase in incidents through Nov. 13 as compared to this time last year. Cheyenne Haslett, ABC News, 17 Nov. 2023 This wasn’t the first time Musk has threatened legal action against an advocacy group. Paolo Confino, Fortune, 17 Nov. 2023 The Matthew Perry Foundation has been established in his name to further his mission of support and advocacy for those facing addiction. Kelly Wynne, Peoplemag, 16 Nov. 2023 They’re written by family advocacy group Common Sense Media. Geoffrey A. Fowler, Washington Post, 16 Nov. 2023 The statement came after the pro-Israel media advocacy group Honest Reporting questioned whether some photographers had prior knowledge of the Oct. 7 attacks and coordinated coverage with Hamas. Mo Abbas, NBC News, 11 Nov. 2023 The dyslexia advocacy community has in some states also been predominantly white and financially privileged, with low-income families and parents of color more likely to fear the stigma of a disability diagnosis. Sarah Carr, Scientific American, 10 Nov. 2023 The Anti-Defamation League, an advocacy group that combats antisemitism, ripped Tlaib for a previous use of the phrase in 2020. Brandon Gillespie, Fox News, 4 Nov. 2023 See More

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'advocacy.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

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

Time Traveler
The first known use of advocacy was in the 14th century

Dictionary Entries Near advocacy

Cite this Entry

“Advocacy.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/advocacy. Accessed 29 Nov. 2023.

Kids Definition

advocacy

noun
ad·​vo·​ca·​cy ˈad-və-kə-sē How to pronounce advocacy (audio)
: the act or process of advocating : support

Legal Definition

advocacy

noun
ad·​vo·​ca·​cy ˈad-və-kə-sē How to pronounce advocacy (audio)
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 advocacyW. O. Douglas

More from Merriam-Webster on advocacy

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