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

Monjack's mother and former publicist, Ron Neal, both said in What Happened, Brittany Murphy? —Jessica Sager, PEOPLE, 20 Dec. 2025

His publicists are Moira Bellas and Barbara Charone at MBC. —Jake Kanter, Deadline, 19 Dec. 2025

Knight was a publicist and crisis communications specialist with a growing client list; and Patel was on a mission to raise his profile. —Daniel Klaidman, CBS News, 18 Dec. 2025

On March 5, two days before Kubrick’s death, Cruise’s then-publicist, Pat Kingsley, watched it alone in the director’s home. —Lane Brown, Vulture, 17 Dec. 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