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

• 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

And timing is crucial, as Cracker Barrel has an opportunity to harness its surge in publicity. —Nathaniel Meyersohn, CNN Money, 13 Sep. 2025

The end credits then pick up with Marty talking with the band’s new manager, Hope Faith (Kerry Godliman) — the daughter of Tap’s original manager Ian Faith (the late Tony Hendra) — about how the Stonehenge mishap could be good publicity for the band. —Tim Lammers, Forbes.com, 13 Sep. 2025

The show wasn’t a mere replay of designs previously introduced in Europe, a common publicity move for brands, but a full-scale unveiling that saw the entire Zegna team decamp for several weeks to one of its major markets. —Naomi Rougeau, Robb Report, 13 Sep. 2025

Flash forward to today, and the folk-rock band from Concord is posing for publicity shots in front of the Broadway marquee for that musical. —Adam Bell, Charlotte Observer, 11 Sep. 2025

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