advertisement

noun

ad·​ver·​tise·​ment ˌad-vər-ˈtīz-mənt How to pronounce advertisement (audio)
əd-ˈvər-təz-mənt,
-tə-smənt How to pronounce advertisement (audio)
plural advertisements
1
: a public notice
especially : a paid notice that is published or broadcast (as to attract customers or to provide information of public interest)
an advertisement for a new car/movie/business
advertisements for job openings
radio/television/online advertisements
took out a full-page advertisement
2
: the act or process of advertising something
Rules could also be introduced pertaining to the advertisement of unhealthy food …Brooke Rolfe
3
: something resembling an advertisement (as in alerting someone to something)
Many people in the UK like to put their Christmas tree up in their front window and pile gifts up beneath it. This might look good to your neighbours, but it's just an advertisement for a thief to nick your loot!Kate Whitfield
especially : a person or thing that shows how good or effective something is
The 25-year-old from Cameroon has become a[n] … advertisement for perseverance. Lethbridge News Now (online)
A CV [=curriculum vitae] is the chance to impress employers, and it is an advertisement for skills and experience. Laura Davies and Lucinda Reid

Examples of advertisement in a Sentence

The advertisement will appear in three magazines. He learned about the job from an advertisement in the newspaper. The company has spent a lot of money on advertisement.
Recent Examples on the Web Republicans have launched advertisements of their own hitting Baldwin, who is seeking her third term in Congress’ high chamber. Lawrence Andrea, Journal Sentinel, 5 Mar. 2024 Women don’t make relinquishment decisions based on a single advertisement, of course. TIME, 2 Mar. 2024 End of carousel With your permission to blab your money secrets, the company earns extra income from showing you advertisements for the next three years for things like credit cards and mortgage offers targeted to your financial situation. Shira Ovide, Washington Post, 1 Mar. 2024 The use of storytelling, emotional appeals and social identity plays a crucial role in creating advertisements that do not just sell a product but enrich consumer experience and identity. Leslie Poston, Forbes, 29 Feb. 2024 Biden’s campaign has spent millions in advertisements crediting him with the improved economy. Matthew Continetti, National Review, 24 Feb. 2024 According to late 19th-century advertisements published in the Spanish newspaper La Vanguardia, Clemente Guardia began operations in 1824. Sonja Anderson, Smithsonian Magazine, 20 Feb. 2024 The 30-second spot, the only campaign ad aired during the game, closely resembled an advertisement John F. Kennedy used during his successful run for the White House in 1960. USA TODAY, 17 Feb. 2024 The pharmacy benefit management (PBM) industry has begun placing advertisements to convince conservatives that its business practices are fiscally conservative and promote budgetary discipline in D.C. Robert Popovian, National Review, 23 Feb. 2024

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'advertisement.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

Word History

Etymology

Middle English, borrowed from Anglo-French avertisement, advertissement, from avertiss-, advertiss-, stem of avertir, advertir "to notify, (reflexive) recognize, be mindful of" + -ment -ment — more at advert entry 1

First Known Use

15th century, in the meaning defined at sense 2

Time Traveler
The first known use of advertisement was in the 15th century

Dictionary Entries Near advertisement

Cite this Entry

“Advertisement.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/advertisement. Accessed 18 Mar. 2024.

Kids Definition

advertisement

noun
ad·​ver·​tise·​ment ˌad-vər-ˈtīz-mənt How to pronounce advertisement (audio) əd-ˈvərt-əz- How to pronounce advertisement (audio)
1
: the act or process of advertising
2
: a public notice
especially : one published or broadcast
Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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