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
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
West flipped the website after the advertisement aired and replaced its previous content with just one item: The swastika T-shirt that was on sale for $20 each. Zack Sharf, Variety, 11 Feb. 2025 The multi-hyphenate, 44, showcased her comedy skills for a hilarious new SKIMS advertisement released on Tuesday, Feb. 11. Ingrid Vasquez, People.com, 11 Feb. 2025 The advertisement highlighted prominent female athletes including Caitlin Clark, Sophia Smith, JuJu Watkins, Alexia Putellas, A’ja Wilson, Sha’Carri Richardson and Jordan Chiles. Carolyn Burt, Orange County Register, 9 Feb. 2025 But, as with any advertisement, there are aspects of a larger story that may not get as much attention. Eric Deggans, NPR, 9 Feb. 2025 See all Example Sentences for advertisement 

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 Feb. 2025.

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

More from Merriam-Webster on advertisement

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!