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

Throughout, hate mail poured into inboxes at mosques and advocacy groups. —Rob Kuznia, CNN Money, 7 Dec. 2025

Now, that trust must translate into tangible support — through donations, volunteerism and advocacy — to ensure these organizations can continue meeting community needs, institute officials said. —Nonprofit Institute, San Diego Union-Tribune, 7 Dec. 2025

The regulated hunt will help incentivize maintaining healthy bear populations, and help fund the work that is needed, according to Mark Barton of the Florida chapter of Backcountry Hunters and Anglers, an advocacy group that supported the hunt. —CBS News, 6 Dec. 2025

There was significant pushback on the bill from residents and advocacy organizations such as the American Cancer Society Action Network, the American Heart Association and the Children's Hospital of Wisconsin. —Laura Schulte, jsonline.com, 5 Dec. 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