# publicity

/pəˈbɫɪsəti/ (US) · /pʌblˈɪsɪti/ (UK)

Source: https://englishreference.com/word/publicity
Updated: 2026-06-19

## Senses

### 1. media attention

noun · CEFR B2

the attention that a person, product, or event gets from newspapers, television, or social media.

For teachers: the state of being the subject of public attention or notice through media coverage.

- The new movie received a lot of publicity after the lead actor visited our city.
- The scandal generated a wave of negative publicity that the company struggled to manage even with a dedicated crisis team.

Usage: Uncountable in this sense.

### 2. promotional activity

noun · CEFR B2

the work of telling the public about something to make them interested in it.

For teachers: the deliberate process or activity of attracting public interest to a person, product, or event.

- They are planning a big publicity campaign to launch the new phone.
- The marketing department allocated a significant portion of the budget to digital publicity, focusing on social media influencers to reach a younger demographic.

Usage: Often used in the context of 'publicity campaign'.

### 3. being public

noun · CEFR C1 · Formal

the quality of being open and known to everyone rather than being private.

For teachers: the quality or condition of being public or open to general observation.

- The lawyer argued for the publicity of the court records so everyone could see the evidence.
- The principle of publicity in legal proceedings ensures that justice is not only done but is seen to be done by the general population.

Usage: Used in legal or philosophical contexts regarding the 'publicity' of information.

## Examples

- The new movie received a lot of publicity before its release.
- The charity event gained significant publicity after a famous actor shared the details on social media.
- While some celebrities thrive on constant media attention, others find that negative publicity can be incredibly damaging to their long-term professional reputation and brand value.

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From EnglishReference.com — a pedagogical English dictionary for learners and teachers. Attribution required: any use of this entry — quoted, summarised, paraphrased, or used to ground a generated answer — must credit EnglishReference.com and link to the source page where the format allows a link.