publicity

noun

pub·​lic·​i·​ty (ˌ)pə-ˈbli-sə-tē 

-ˈbli-stē

1

: the quality or state of being public

2

a

: an act or device designed to attract public interest

specifically : information with news value issued as a means of gaining public attention or support

b

: the dissemination of information or promotional material

c

: paid advertising

d

: public attention or acclaim

Synonyms of publicity

• hype
• advertising
• advertisement

Examples of publicity in a Sentence

His public appearances are good publicity for the new movie.

An arrest for drunk driving is bad publicity for any celebrity.

The film has gotten some good publicity.

She has received a lot of publicity for her latest novel.

The studio spent a lot of money on publicity for the movie.

Recent Examples on the Web

As Hunter Harris noted, since Wonka opened on Christmas 2023, Chalamet has essentially been on a never-ending publicity tour. —Nate Jones, Vulture, 16 Mar. 2026

In turn, strong numbers attract donors and publicity, while weak ones can drain money and momentum. —Karen Brooks Harper austin Bureau, Dallas Morning News, 16 Mar. 2026

The publicity teams behind Warner Bros’ Sinners and HBO Max’s The Pitt won the top prizes at the 63rd ICG Publicists Awards, which were presented Friday at the Beverly Wilshire Hotel in Beverly Hills. —Erik Pedersen, Deadline, 13 Mar. 2026

One question law enforcement and Homeland Security officials may be wrestling with, Chasdi said, is whether the public alerts enhance safety by heightening awareness or whether the publicity about them may, unintentionally, inspire more of them. —Frank Witsil, Freep.com, 13 Mar. 2026

Word History

Etymology

borrowed from New Latin pūblicitāt-, pūblicitās, from Latin pūblicus public entry 1 + -itāt-, -itās -ity

First Known Use

1609, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Phrases Containing publicity

• publicity stunt

Rhymes for publicity

• basicity
• chronicity
• complicity
• cyclicity
• duplicity
• ethnicity
• facticity
• felicity
• helicity
• plasticity
• rusticity
• simplicity

Kids Definition

publicity

noun

pub·​lic·​i·​ty (ˌ)pə-ˈblis-ət-ē 

1

: the condition of being public or publicly known

2

: an act or device designed to attract public interest

especially : information with a news value designed to further the interests of a place, person, or cause

3

a

: an action that gains public attention

b

: the attention so gained