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 TikTok’s ‘number one worst public relations stunt’ Apparently caught off guard by the bill’s introduction last week, TikTok scrambled to activate its enormous US user base to fight it. Lauren Feiner, The Verge, 15 Mar. 2024 Those figures do not include money spent on public relations campaigns and at the state level. Noah Bierman, Los Angeles Times, 14 Mar. 2024 These efforts are woefully insufficient and amount to a public relations stunt as our government continues to provide bombs and arms to Israel. Laila El-Haddad, The Mercury News, 13 Mar. 2024 According to the outlet, Versace, 68, was with her publicist, assistant, security and the head of Versace public relations when the incident occurred. Michelle Lee, Peoplemag, 13 Mar. 2024 The increase will start with the fall semester, said Grant Hodges, the college's executive director of planning and public relations. Al Gaspeny, arkansasonline.com, 12 Mar. 2024 With its illustrious reputation hanging in the balance, the boarding school begins a sweeping public relations campaign that includes cobbling together a two-person Diversity, Equity and Inclusion team more interested in inclusive visuals than actual change. Aramide Tinubu, Variety, 8 Mar. 2024 Along with Alana Kaplan, judges included Heidi Carr, program director of undergraduate public relations at the University of Miami and a former Miami Herald editor; and longtime Spelling Bee volunteer Debbie Christie. Jimena Tavel, Miami Herald, 6 Mar. 2024 Discovery needed to start the year, after months of mixed to terrible news at the box office, and in their public relations and entertainment news. Mark Hughes, Forbes, 2 Mar. 2024

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

Word History

First Known Use

1898, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of public relations was in 1898

Dictionary Entries Near public relations

Cite this Entry

“Public relations.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/public%20relations. Accessed 28 Mar. 2024.

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

More from Merriam-Webster on public relations

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