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

But the number of Oscar voters in town explodes each year once the fest kicks off, as hordes of actors, directors, writers, songwriters, executives, publicists and others descend on the city, which normally has a population of less than 45,000. —Scott Feinberg, HollywoodReporter, 2 Jan. 2026

The Times was unable to reach publicists or a lawyer for Will Smith because of the holiday. —Assistant Editor, Los Angeles Times, 2 Jan. 2026

His family announced the news on Instagram, and his publicist Bill Carpenter confirmed the details to the Washington Post. —Erik Pedersen, Deadline, 30 Dec. 2025

The same day, the actor-director filed his own lawsuit for $400 million for civil extortion and defamation against The New York Times, Lively, Reynolds, 48, and publicist Leslie Sloane. —Marina Watts, PEOPLE, 29 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