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

Robert Gleason, lead of parent advisory at the Rady Gender Clinic, noted that San Diego’s only medical center dedicated to serving children and adolescents created the resource only a decade ago and only after many years of advocacy from families. —Paul Sisson, San Diego Union-Tribune, 25 Jan. 2026

Cancer, musculoskeletal conditions and heart disease are the top medical conditions driving up employer costs in recent years, according to a study published last year by the Business Group on Health, an employer advocacy group. —Tami Luhby, CNN Money, 24 Jan. 2026

Strengthen cross-sector support networks that exchange strategies and knowledge within collaborative forums, advocacy groups, national associations and gatherings. —Jallicia Jolly, Forbes.com, 24 Jan. 2026

How have your careers as an attorney and Air Force JAG officer shaped your understanding of advocacy? —Kansas City Star, 24 Jan. 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