public relations

noun

plural in form but usually singular in construction

often attributive

: the business of inducing the public to have understanding for and goodwill toward a person, firm, or institution

also : the degree of understanding and goodwill achieved

Examples of public relations in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

In 2022 a public relations firm called MSL, along with the Influencer League, commissioned a groundbreaking study on racial disparities in the influencer industry and found the pay gap between Black and white influencers was a stunningly high 35%. —Stephanie McNeal, Glamour, 14 Mar. 2025

Listen to this article The New York City Probation Department spent $37,500 last year to hire a public relations consultant in part to write an op-ed that the agency’s commissioner, Juanita Holmes, then oddly disavowed last Friday, the Daily News has learned. —Chris Sommerfeldt, New York Daily News, 14 Mar. 2025

Forbes Communications Council is an invitation-only community for executives in successful public relations, media strategy, creative and advertising agencies. —Joe Ariganello, Forbes, 14 Mar. 2025

Nonetheless, the position of policewoman was such a resounding public relations success that Los Angeles soon expanded its roster to three female police officers and three police matrons. —Peter Zablocki, Smithsonian Magazine, 13 Mar. 2025

Word History

First Known Use

1898, in the meaning defined above

Rhymes for public relations

• abbreviations
• abominations
• accelerations
• accommodations
• accumulations
• adjudications
• administrations
• adulterations
• affiliations
• agglomerations
• alienations
• amalgamations

Kids Definition

public relations

noun

1

: the business of creating public goodwill for a person, firm, or institution

2

: the degree of understanding and goodwill achieved