advocacy

noun ad·vo·ca·cy \ ˈad-və-kə-sē \

Updated on: 17 Apr 2018

Definition of advocacy

: the act or process of supporting a cause or proposal : the act or process of advocating (see ²advocate) something

known for his advocacy of gay rights

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Recent Examples of advocacy from the Web

Sure, the Obama-era rules weren’t perfect, Jennifer Wang, of the Institute for College Access and Success, an advocacy group, told me, but there was a lot that borrower advocates liked.

— adam harris, The Atlantic, "Why Would the Government Stop States From Helping Student Borrowers?," 13 Apr. 2018
Immigration advocacy groups were critical, saying Brown's support was a boost for Mr. Trump's agenda.

— kathleen ronayne and elliot spagat, The Christian Science Monitor, "California agrees to send troops to Mexican border, but limits their scope," 12 Apr. 2018
According to the Prison Policy Imitative, an advocacy group, some prisoners working in industry earn as little as five cents an hour.

— The Economist, "How convict labour increased inequality," 12 Apr. 2018
While advocacy groups are likely to praise many aspects of the House’s spending document, fiscal watchdogs may growl.

— matt stout and joshua miller, BostonGlobe.com, "House budget calls for State Police oversight and rebuffs Baker’s Medicaid plan," 12 Apr. 2018
Immigration advocacy groups were critical, saying Brown's support was a boost for Trump's agenda.

— NBC News, "California agrees to join National Guard border mission — with conditions," 12 Apr. 2018
Founded in 2011, Hope for Three is a nonprofit autism advocacy group.

— karen zurawski, Houston Chronicle, "George Ranch Historical Park plans first Sensory-Friendly Day," 12 Apr. 2018
Immigrant advocacy groups immediately were concerned that the move could be an attempt to undercut the rights of immigrants pursuing the ability to stay in the US.

— tal kopan, CNN, "Trump administration suspends immigrant legal advice program," 11 Apr. 2018
Popular in Alabama Most American education and child advocacy groups have called for a ban on corporal punishment.

— anna claire vollers, AL.com, "Paddling is legal in Alabama, but some teachers arrested for excessive force," 11 Apr. 2018

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'advocacy.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

Origin and Etymology of advocacy

Middle English advocacie "intercession," borrowed from Anglo-French advocassie "pleading," borrowed from Medieval Latin advocatia "patronage," from Latin advocātus ¹advocate + -ia ²-y

NEW! Time Traveler

First Known Use: 14th century

in the meaning defined above

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Law Dictionary

advocacy

noun ad·vo·ca·cy \ ˈad-və-kə-sē \

legal Definition of advocacy

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

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Spanish Central: Translation of advocacy Nglish: Translation of advocacy for Spanish speakers Britannica English: Translation of advocacy for Arabic speakers

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