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

So the publicists for writers, theaters, and museums kept writing and phoning, even offering to fly her back to New York to see this or that, once or twice mentioning a free trip to Europe. — Literary Hub, 10 Sep. 2026

His answers were genuine and unguarded, dating from a kind of prelapsarian moment before publicists trained their clients to discuss race in blandly celebratory ways, if at all. — E. Alex Jung, Vulture, 8 Sep. 2026

The publicist spent the better part of a week trying to reach Berry on my behalf. — Joe Fassler, The Atlantic, 5 Sep. 2026

Norm Carlson, Florida’s longtime publicist, had found that the stadium was built in a low, marshy pocket of Gainesville. — Ira Gorawara, New York Times, 5 Sep. 2026

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