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

Norwood has been on the publicity trail this week, participating in a press junket and appearing live on television. — Jake Kanter, Deadline, 18 Sep. 2026

Cultural Counsel, an art publicity powerhouse since 2015 with a national reach that has counted top-flight museums, galleries, and foundations in its client list, is restructuring its operations, sources tell ARTnews—starting with leadership. — Tessa Solomon, ARTnews.com, 17 Sep. 2026

Also, how national NIL rules coexist with state rights-of-publicity laws could spark legal challenges. — Michael McCann, Sportico.com, 16 Sep. 2026

With a little effort and some decent publicity, Widow’s Bay could be the next Bar Harbor or Martha’s Vineyard! — Culture Critic, Los Angeles Times, 11 Sep. 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