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advertising

n.
US //ˈædvɝˌtaɪzɪŋ// UK //ˈædvətˌaɪzɪŋ// ad·ver·tis·ing
  1. 1 the activity of promoting products (n.)
    A2 Elementary

    the act of showing or telling people about a product to make them want to buy it.

    the activity or profession of producing advertisements for commercial products or services. Uncountable in this sense.

    Example

    The company spends a lot of money on digital advertising to reach younger customers.

    Example

    Effective advertising relies on a deep understanding of consumer psychology and the ability to communicate a brand's value proposition concisely.

    Usage

    functions as an uncountable noun when referring to the general practice.
    Pitfall
    I saw a very funny advertising on TV.
    I saw a very funny advertisement on TV.

    Use 'advertising' for the general activity or industry, but use 'advertisement' (or 'ad') for a single specific message.

  2. 2 the industry (n.)
    B1 Intermediate

    the business or profession of creating advertisements.

    the commercial industry or sector responsible for creating and placing promotional content.

    Example

    After finishing her degree, she found a job in advertising.

    Example

    The shift toward social media has fundamentally transformed the landscape of the advertising industry over the last decade.
    • the ad business
    • marketing sector
Origin

From advertise + -ing.

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