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

The Senate voted 99-1 Tuesday morning to kill the moratorium after a last-minute uproar from advocacy groups, lawmakers and tens of thousands of Americans who saw it as a dangerous overreach. —Tor Constantino, Forbes.com, 1 July 2025

The American Business Immigration Coalition and other advocacy groups, as well as Republican Representative Andy Harris, backed the idea of a long-term solution for farm workers. —Billal Rahman dan Gooding, MSNBC Newsweek, 30 June 2025

Comcast and Charter joined tech companies and advocacy groups in a June 2 letter, organized by the Wi-Fi Alliance industry group, that urged Cruz and other congressional leaders to preserve 6 GHz for Wi-Fi. —ArsTechnica, 30 June 2025

In Brooklyn, City Councilwoman Shahana Hanif, who represents Park Slope and surrounding areas, drew criticism for her Palestinian advocacy. —Jill Colvin, Los Angeles Times, 29 June 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