publicity

noun

pub·lic·i·ty | \ (ˌ)pə-ˈbli-sə-tē

, -ˈbli-stē\

Definition of publicity

1 : the quality or state of being public

2a : 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 Example Sentences Learn More about publicity

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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

By October 1929, builders around New York wanted in on the publicity and the chance for sky-high glory. — Jonathan Schifman, Popular Mechanics, "A Friendship Turned to Rivalry. A Feud That Changed the New York Skyline.," 27 Mar. 2019 Junk said Tuesday, adding that the case may have to be moved from Pike County because of the pre-trial publicity. — Angie Wang, The Seattle Times, "Authorities: Prosecuting Ohio massacre case could last years," 14 Nov. 2018 But Jackie, who was by then married to Greek shipping magnate Aristotle Onassis, was horrified by the unwanted publicity the home was drawing. — Stephanie Nolasco, Fox News, "Jackie Kennedy Onassis was 'horrified' of recluse aunt, cousin living in crumbling Grey Gardens, book claims," 12 Sep. 2018 Only one country has agreed to repatriate its citizen-fighters, and American officials have refused to identify it, fearing the publicity would dissuade any other takers. — Eric Schmitt, New York Times, "ISIS May Be Waning, but Global Threats of Terrorism Continue to Spread," 6 July 2018 Bradley has done a lot of publicity for A Star Is Born, and he might have just felt burned out. — Katherine J. Igoe, Marie Claire, "Bradley Cooper and Irina Shayk May Have Skipped the Oscars After-Party," 25 Feb. 2019 The negative publicity from the high legal payouts and Reuters’s seemingly damning evidence of sneaky behavior from the company in the past has brought the issue of hygiene product safety and consumer trust to the forefront. — Cheryl Wischhover, Vox, "Johnson & Johnson accused of hiding the asbestos in its baby powder for decades," 14 Dec. 2018 Alcan publicity from the period makes a clear link to the war effort. — Alan Freeman, Washington Post, "Trump to see ‘national security’ threat in Canada firsthand," 7 June 2018 Trek has responded that much of the case rests on whether Farley was a resident of California at the time of his death, making his name and image subject to a California law that governs deceased celebrities' right of publicity. — CBS News, "Chris Farley's family sues Trek over name of fat-tired bikes," 6 June 2018

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'publicity.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.