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

There were controversies and public relations blunders along the way, as Hollywood grappled with its image and sweeping shifts in the larger culture. —Kalia Richardson, Rolling Stone, 2 Mar. 2025

Jonathan Stinson, director of public relations at Freedom United Social, agrees that working with celebrities can be a game-changer for brands. —Tanya Benedicto Klich, Forbes, 28 Feb. 2025

Hampton portrays unconventional hero Gabi Mosely in Found, a one-time kidnapping victim turned public relations specialist who now runs a firm dedicated to finding missing people. —Denise Petski, Deadline, 28 Feb. 2025

Three individuals who are suspected to have attacked the fashion designer in the Musanze district have been handed over to the Rwanda Investigation Bureau for further investigation, according to the Rwanda National Police’s commissioner for public relations, ACP Boniface Rutikanga. —Rosemary Feitelberg, WWD, 27 Feb. 2025

Word History

First Known Use

1898, in the meaning defined above

Rhymes for public relations

• abbreviations
• abominations
• accelerations
• accommodations
• accumulations
• adjudications
• administrations
• adulterations
• affiliations
• agglomerations
• alienations
• amalgamations

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