publicist

noun

pub·​li·​cist ˈpə-blə-sist How to pronounce publicist (audio)
1
a
: an expert in international law
b
: an expert or commentator on public affairs
2
: one that publicizes
specifically : press agent

Examples of publicist 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.
Another sister, publicist Andrea Jaffe, died in 2016 at age 66. — Mike Barnes, The Hollywood Reporter, 10 Mar. 2025 In January, Baldoni filed a $400 million defamation lawsuit against Lively, her husband Ryan Reynolds and publicist Leslie Sloane, accusing them of civil extortion and defamation. — Jami Ganz, New York Daily News, 8 Mar. 2025 To meet and forge relationships with them and their publicists and to build that equity and that trust. — Michael Schneider, Variety, 5 Mar. 2025 Still, the Capital Rep’s publicist was surprised when, shortly before the premiere, Morrison attempted to shield Dreaming Emmett from critical scrutiny. — Elon Green, Vulture, 5 Mar. 2025 See All Example Sentences for publicist

Word History

Etymology

borrowed from New Latin pūblicista, probably from Latin pūblicum in jūs pūblicum "public law" (neuter of pūblicus public entry 1) + -ista -ist entry 1

Note: The Latin word was used in reference to expertise in public law within the Holy Roman Empire, a usage that apparently was extended to international law (traditionally jūs gentium "law of nations"). Earlier adaptations in German (Publicist, now Publizist) and French (publiciste) could be the direct source of the English word. Senses 1b and 2 may be from public(ize) + -ist entry 1.

First Known Use

1792, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Time Traveler
The first known use of publicist was in 1792

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Cite this Entry

“Publicist.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/publicist. Accessed 25 Mar. 2025.

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Kids Definition

publicist

noun
pub·​li·​cist ˈpəb-lə-səst How to pronounce publicist (audio)
1
a
: an expert in international law
b
: an expert on public affairs
2
: press agent

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