advocacy

noun

ad·​vo·​ca·​cy ˈad-və-kə-sē 

: 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

Consider joining consumer advocacy groups that fight for passenger rights. —Christopher Elliott, USA Today, 29 Sep. 2025

Since that moment, my professional life in political organizing advocacy has always been with this experience of rising political violence. —Andrew Stanton, MSNBC Newsweek, 28 Sep. 2025

The advocacy group also proposed rerouting the entrance for cyclists through building an inexpensive temporary bike path. —Ishani Desai, Sacbee.com, 28 Sep. 2025

Justices question challengers' injunction request The challengers to the disclosure law include Center for Arizona Policy, a Christian conservative advocacy organization; Arizona Free Enterprise Club, a libertarian non-profit, and two anonymous individuals. —Taylor Seely, AZCentral.com, 27 Sep. 2025

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

Phrases Containing advocacy

• advocacy journalism

Kids Definition

advocacy

noun

ad·​vo·​ca·​cy ˈad-və-kə-sē 

: the act or process of advocating : support

Legal Definition

advocacy

noun

ad·​vo·​ca·​cy ˈad-və-kə-sē 

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 advocacy

—W. O. Douglas