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

Jason Turkish -- an attorney representing disabled people and co-founder of the advocacy group Alliance for America's Promise -- said SSA Commissioner Frank Bisignano and other administration officials assured him in meetings this month that the proposal would not move forward. —Lisa Rein, Arkansas Online, 23 Nov. 2025

The incident, captured on video, occurred on November 13 in the Elmhurst neighborhood of Queens, according to the NYIC, an immigrant advocacy group. —Billal Rahman, MSNBC Newsweek, 21 Nov. 2025

The forum is a nonprofit research and advocacy organization that develops guidance and policy analysis on data privacy and emerging technologies. —Stefani Langehennig, The Conversation, 21 Nov. 2025

Smart also has become involved in advocacy for increasing the success of Milwaukee children in school. —Alan J. Borsuk, jsonline.com, 21 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