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

The army’s public relations office said its drones had targeted a Patriot air defense system in Kuwait, the satellite antenna in Qatar, and fuel storage facilities belonging to the US military in Bahrain overnight into Thursday, Tasnim reported. — Nadeen Ebrahim, CNN Money, 9 July 2026

Earlier this year, the judge also dismissed most of Lively's lawsuit against Baldoni while allowing her retaliation claims against Baldoni's public relations team to proceed. — ABC News, 9 July 2026

Justin Baldoni broke months of silence about his mutually destructive legal battle with fellow actor Blake Lively, hoping to sway the court of public opinion — but drawing a mixed verdict from public relations experts. — David K. Li, NBC news, 9 July 2026

Sony’s plan to phase out physical PlayStation 5 discs by January 2028 has moved from a public relations problem to a legal one. — Mia Osmonbekov, Fortune, 9 July 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