public relations

noun

plural in form but usually singular in construction

often attributive

: the business of inducing the public to have understanding for and goodwill toward a person, firm, or institution

also : the degree of understanding and goodwill achieved

Examples of public relations in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

Tarrant’s sheriff and head of public relations also made less than their Mecklenburg counterparts, $224,191 and $113,342, respectively. —Mary Ramsey, Charlotte Observer, 31 Mar. 2026

Though speaking in a heartfelt way can be hard for someone using a second language, many executives of multinational companies do nonetheless make the effort (even if their public relations staff typically crafts the message). —Phil Wahba, Fortune, 30 Mar. 2026

Whatever public relations win executives were expecting backfired when the research began to spill out to the public. —Jonathan Vanian, CNBC, 29 Mar. 2026

But Kennedy Center vice president of public relations Roma Daravi confirmed the Atlantic’s reporting was correct on Thursday. —Brian Niemietz, New York Daily News, 26 Mar. 2026

Word History

First Known Use

1898, in the meaning defined above

Rhymes for public relations

• abbreviations
• abominations
• accelerations
• accommodations
• accumulations
• adjudications
• administrations
• adulterations
• affiliations
• agglomerations
• alienations
• amalgamations

Kids Definition

public relations

noun

1

: the business of creating public goodwill for a person, firm, or institution

2

: the degree of understanding and goodwill achieved