publicist

noun

pub·​li·​cist ˈpə-blə-sist 

1

a

: an expert in international law

b

: an expert or commentator on public affairs

2

: one that publicizes

specifically : press agent

Examples of publicist in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

That's three more than the record set by Karla Sofía Gascón's publicist. —Joey Nolfi, EW.com, 17 Apr. 2025

Martindale, who had been suffering from lymphoma, died on Tuesday at Eisenhower Health in Rancho Mirage, California, according to his publicist Brian Mayes. —Emily Zemler, Rolling Stone, 16 Apr. 2025

So often back then, the first sign of bad news was the no-news of silence, absence, emptiness — the cheerful publicist who suddenly stopped returning your calls; the seat next to you at the ballet, long occupied by the same passionate subscription holder, that was now unexpectedly vacant. —Mark Harris, Vulture, 9 Apr. 2025

Mia Tyler, who was born in 1978, is the daughter of actress, model and publicist Cyrinda Foxe. —Lisa Respers France, CNN Money, 16 Apr. 2025

Word History

Etymology

borrowed from New Latin pūblicista, probably from Latin pūblicum in jūs pūblicum "public law" (neuter of pūblicus public entry 1) + -ista -ist entry 1

Note: The Latin word was used in reference to expertise in public law within the Holy Roman Empire, a usage that apparently was extended to international law (traditionally jūs gentium "law of nations"). Earlier adaptations in German (Publicist, now Publizist) and French (publiciste) could be the direct source of the English word. Senses 1b and 2 may be from public(ize) + -ist entry 1.

First Known Use

1792, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Kids Definition

publicist

noun

pub·​li·​cist ˈpəb-lə-səst 

1

a

: an expert in international law

b

: an expert on public affairs

2

: press agent