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
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
Angry at the whole situation, including the publicity.
—
Mankaprr Conteh, Rolling Stone, 16 Oct. 2025
Still, bad publicity on the Democratic side of the ballot does open up the potential for Earle-Sears to market herself to portions of the Virginia electorate that usually shy away from voting Republican.
—Deputy News Editor, MSNBC Newsweek, 16 Oct. 2025
An offhand comment can invite negative publicity.
—Usa Today, USA Today, 15 Oct. 2025
For more than 20 years, Dan Beck worked hand-in-hand with the Epic Records’ artists roster, first as a publicity executive, product manager and then senior vp of marketing and sales.
—Melinda Newman, Billboard, 14 Oct. 2025
See All Example Sentences for publicity
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Mankaprr Conteh, Rolling Stone, 16 Oct. 2025
Still, bad publicity on the Democratic side of the ballot does open up the potential for Earle-Sears to market herself to portions of the Virginia electorate that usually shy away from voting Republican.
—Deputy News Editor, MSNBC Newsweek, 16 Oct. 2025
An offhand comment can invite negative publicity.
—Usa Today, USA Today, 15 Oct. 2025
For more than 20 years, Dan Beck worked hand-in-hand with the Epic Records’ artists roster, first as a publicity executive, product manager and then senior vp of marketing and sales.
—Melinda Newman, Billboard, 14 Oct. 2025
See All Example Sentences for publicity
Cite this Entry
“Publicity.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/publicity. Accessed 20 Oct. 2025.
Copy CitationKids 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
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