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

In January the Jane the Virgin alum denied Lively’s claims and filed a $400 million countersuit against her, Reynolds and their publicists alleging extortion, defamation and more. —Jack Smart, People.com, 26 June 2025

Hamilton died due to natural causes on Thursday in Chicago, Illinois, the actress's former publicist Rev. Calvin Carson confirmed to Fox News Digital. —Ashley Hume, FOXNews.com, 22 June 2025

Lynn Hamilton, the veteran actress best known for her television roles on The Waltons, Sanford and Son and Generations, has died at the age of 95, her publicist Calvin Carson shared on Instagram. —Natalie Oganesyan, Deadline, 21 June 2025

The demand was so overwhelming, and so instantaneous, that a publicist had to scour the company’s offices for spare copies. —Gideon Lewis-Kraus, New Yorker, 13 June 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