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

According to Giselle Garcia, the program director of immigration nonprofit NorCal Resist, advocacy group Ring of Democracy approached her team and proposed a press conference in opposition to the termination of TPS for Haitian immigrants. — Sofia Williams, Sacbee.com, 31 July 2026

Our firm’s attorneys and professionals applaud the Community Associations Institute and its advocacy efforts for the reintroduced Act as well as other federal and state legislation aimed at helping communities with associations. — Christyne D. Santisteban, Miami Herald, 30 July 2026

The lobbying and advocacy firm’s clients includes groups like the Real Estate and Building Industry Coalition and the Apartment Association of North Carolina. — Dj Simmons, Charlotte Observer, 30 July 2026

The advocacy group, along with the Tennessee Immigrant & Refugee Rights Coalition, filed a complaint calling for Pérez’s immediate release with the Depart of Homeland Security’s Office of the Inspector General and other agencies Wednesday. — Daniella Silva, NBC news, 30 July 2026

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