advocacy

noun

ad·​vo·​ca·​cy ˈad-və-kə-sē How to pronounce advocacy (audio)
: 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.
Portes co-founded the advocacy group Latinx Theatre Commons and serves on the boards of the Theatre Communication Group (an organization for non-profit theaters) and the Stage Directors and Choreographers Society theatrical union. Christopher Arnott, Hartford Courant, 3 Mar. 2025 Sheedy, who recently appeared in Freeform’s Single Drunk Female, has been involved with PFLAG, an advocacy group that supports LGBTQ+ families. Abby Monteil, Them, 3 Mar. 2025 By 2022, the free speech advocacy group PEN America identified at least 16 MassResistance chapters in the U.S., with several more international chapters. Ian Max Stevenson, Idaho Statesman, 2 Mar. 2025 But lawmakers have largely stayed out of those fights, leaving it to Democratic state attorneys general, federal unions, workers and advocacy groups to file nearly 100 lawsuits against the administration. Bart Jansen, USA TODAY, 2 Mar. 2025 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

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Advocacy.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/advocacy. Accessed 16 Mar. 2025.

Kids Definition

advocacy

noun
ad·​vo·​ca·​cy ˈad-və-kə-sē How to pronounce advocacy (audio)
: the act or process of advocating : support

Legal Definition

advocacy

noun
ad·​vo·​ca·​cy ˈad-və-kə-sē How to pronounce advocacy (audio)
1
: the profession or work of an advocate
2
: the action of advocating, pleading for, or supporting a cause or proposal
a consequence of his moving advocacyW. O. Douglas

More from Merriam-Webster on advocacy

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
Love words? Need even more definitions?

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