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

Some of the members, like Kennedy, have a history of anti-vaccine advocacy and involvement in anti-vaccine groups. —Mary Walrath-Holdridge, USA Today, 22 Mar. 2026

Rajner said he was summoned with just an hour’s notice, and the advocacy team quickly assembled. —Anthony Man, Sun Sentinel, 21 Mar. 2026

Zacarias was the fifth cyclist killed on New York City’s streets and the 34th New Yorker killed in a traffic crash so far this year, according to the bicyclist advocacy group Transportation Alternatives. —Julian Roberts-Grmela, New York Daily News, 21 Mar. 2026

But trial attorney advocacy organizations, and academic legal experts who don’t have a dog in the fight, say those attacks obscure the high stakes for consumers writ large. —Ben Paviour, Sacbee.com, 21 Mar. 2026

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