publicist

noun

pub·​li·​cist ˈpə-blə-sist 

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

Meet Alejandra Silva Alejandra Silva is a Spanish publicist and political activist with a passion for philanthropy. —Raul A. Reyes, Newsweek, 23 Jan. 2025

Key Facts Baldoni, Wayfarer Studios, publicist Jennifer Abel, crisis management expert Melissa Nathan and other plaintiffs filed a lawsuit on Thursday in New York Federal Court against Lively, her husband Ryan Reynolds, her publicist Leslie Sloane and Sloane's firm Vision PR. —Mary Whitfill Roeloffs, Forbes, 22 Jan. 2025

Baldoni also filed a $400 million defamation lawsuit against Lively, her husband Ryan Reynolds and her publicist Leslie Sloane on January 16. —Alli Rosenbloom, CNN, 21 Jan. 2025

The 179-page complaint, filed in the U.S. District Court for the Southern District of New York, named Ms. Lively and Mr. Reynolds, her husband, as defendants, as well as their publicist Leslie Sloane and her company, Vision PR. —Katie Robertson, New York Times, 17 Jan. 2025

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

Kids Definition

publicist

noun

pub·​li·​cist ˈpəb-lə-səst 

1

a

: an expert in international law

b

: an expert on public affairs

2

: press agent