publicize
Americanverb (used with object)
verb
Other Word Forms
Derived Forms
Conjugated Forms
Present
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has publicizedperfect 3rd person singular
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have publicizedperfect
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has been publicizingperfect progressive 3rd person singular
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am publicizingprogressive 1st person singular
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are publicizingprogressive
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publicizingparticiple
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publicizessingular 3rd person
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have been publicizingperfect progressive
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is publicizingprogressive 3rd person singular
Past
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had publicizedperfect
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were publicizingprogressive plural
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publicizedparticiple
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had been publicizingperfect progressive
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publicizedsimple
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was publicizingprogressive singular
Future
Etymology
Origin of publicize
Explanation
When you publicize something, you let the whole world know about it. The president might hold a press conference to publicize a new policy, or you might use Facebook to publicize your new relationship status. To make something very widely known, or to make an official announcement about it, is to publicize it. Companies publicize new products and sale prices, and politicians publicize the missteps and bad policies of their opponents. The verb publicize was first used at the beginning of the twentieth century, combining public, with its Latin root of publicus, "of the people, common, or general," and the verb-making suffix ize.
Vocabulary lists containing publicize
"Journeys," Vocabulary from Lesson 3
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Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
Yet Ford continued to publicize his “victory,” and in a practical if not a moral sense he proved his point.
From The Wall Street Journal • May 21, 2026
The Treasury Department will launch a new website, TrumpIRA.gov, to publicize the matching funds and issue guidance for private-sector donors who want to contribute to workers’ accounts, a media report said.
From MarketWatch • Apr. 30, 2026
The so-called “good” ones supposedly remain silent about their partners’ indiscretions, while those who publicize their misdeeds are painted as thankless harpies.
From Salon • Apr. 30, 2026
Although individual carriers would not have to pay up, these lawsuits could uncover and publicize their misconduct, leading to other professional and personal consequences.
From Slate • Feb. 24, 2026
To publicize his campaign, he laid plans to make a solo ascent of the south face of Denali, the mountain’s steepest aspect, in winter, with a minimum of food.
From "Into the Wild" by Jon Krakauer
Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
