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

The text messages were largely between Baldoni, his publicist Jennifer Abel and crisis management expert Melissa Nathan, and were obtained through a civil subpoena, Lively's complaint said. —Mary Whitfill Roeloffs, Forbes.com, 22 May 2025

Actor George Wendt has died at 76, his publicist, Melissa Nathan, announced in a statement shared with People on Tuesday, May 20. —Sara Vallone, Miami Herald, 20 May 2025

Newsweek reached out to Swift's publicist for comment. —Nick Mordowanec, MSNBC Newsweek, 16 May 2025

The latter is also named in Baldoni's $400 million countersuit against the couple, their publicist Leslie Sloane and Sloane's firm Vision PR, alleging defamation, extortion and more. —Jen Juneau, People.com, 14 May 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