Definition of ADVOCACY (original) (raw)

: the act or process of supporting a cause or proposal : the act or process of advocating (see advocate entry 2) something

known for his advocacy of gay rights

Examples of advocacy in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

That raises questions about the role Commissioner Tisch and the Police Department will play in such efforts, said Daniel Coates, spokesman for Make the Road New York, an advocacy group for immigrant rights. —Maria Cramer, New York Times, 14 Dec. 2024 The objective of the spy cop division was to join political advocacy organizations — nominally progressive or left-leaning causes — and act as like-minded activists, all the while feeding the information back to their superiors regarding the groups’ plans. —Declan Gallagher, EW.com, 13 Dec. 2024 It has been described by media organizations as an anti-vaccine advocacy group that has filed close to 30 federal and state lawsuits against vaccine and other public health mandates over the past four years. —Alexander Bolton, The Hill, 13 Dec. 2024 Biden is under pressure from advocacy groups to pardon broad swaths of people, including those on federal death row, before the President-elect Donald Trump's administration takes over in January. —Democrat-Gazette Staff From Wire Reports, arkansasonline.com, 13 Dec. 2024 See all Example Sentences for advocacy

Word History

Etymology

Middle English advocacie "intercession," borrowed from Anglo-French advocassie "pleading," borrowed from Medieval Latin advocatia "patronage," from Latin advocātus advocate entry 1 + -ia -y entry 2

First Known Use

14th century, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler

The first known use of advocacy was in the 14th century

Dictionary Entries Near advocacy

Cite this Entry

“Advocacy.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/advocacy. Accessed 28 Dec. 2024.

More from Merriam-Webster on advocacy

Last Updated: 18 Dec 2024 - Updated example sentences

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!