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

Miami-Dade County could be one vote away from removing fluoride from its drinking water, a change pushed by the administration of Gov. Ron DeSantis and opposed by medical advocacy groups. —Douglas Hanks, Miami Herald, 13 Mar. 2025

The state uses energy-intensive methods of desalination and water transportation, something that has been criticized by environmentalists, including the advocacy group Food and Water Watch, which has called for California to transition to renewable energy. —Mark Davis, Newsweek, 15 Mar. 2025

As today’s patients are increasingly involved with their own healthcare decisions, work with patient advocacy groups to raise awareness about your innovation so that patients can request it from their physicians—a classic B2B2C strategy. —Eyal Shamir, Forbes, 14 Mar. 2025

Guild’s Jonathan Larson Musical Theater Fellowship and the vice president of the advocacy group Black Broadway Men United, died Thursday, March 6, at a hospital in Newark, New Jersey, of complications from a cerebral arteriovenous malformation. —Greg Evans, Deadline, 14 Mar. 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