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

Under the new provisions, intoxicating hemp would fall under state marijuana laws, which would be a good thing, according to Chris Lindsey, vice president of policy and state advocacy at the American Trade Association for Cannabis and Hemp (ATACH). —Mary Jane Gibson, Rolling Stone, 16 Nov. 2025

When immigration agents began targeting food vendors, Rick Rosales, enlisted his bicycle advocacy group Cycling x Solidarity. —Sasha Rogelberg, Fortune, 16 Nov. 2025

The city's government, businesses, and local advocacy groups responded by informing immigrants of their rights and providing resources to protect against detention. —Hollie Silverman, MSNBC Newsweek, 16 Nov. 2025

Republicans who have filed include Mike Steger, who founded a pro-Trump advocacy group; lawyer Anthony Paesano; and Antonio Prieto, whose campaign documents were filed from Farmington but who also didn't appear to have a website. —Todd Spangler, Freep.com, 15 Nov. 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