Advertisement: Definition, Examples, and Usage

Meaning 1：public promotion (advertisement)

advertisement 🔊

/ˌædvərˈtaɪzmənt/

A picture, short video, song, or similar thing that tries to persuade people to buy a product or use a service.

Advertisement billboard on a busy city street promoting a smartphone

public promotion 🔊

➕

/ˈpʌblɪk prəˈmoʊʃən/

A public announcement or notice intended to inform or persuade people about a product, service, or event.

📁 Category：Social Economy 🔖 Level：Beginner

📘 Details & Usage

📖 Root Explanation

From Latin 'advertere' (to turn towards) + '-ment' (noun suffix), literally 'a turning towards'.

💡 Mnemonic

Imagine an 'ad' that 'verts' (turns) your head, making you 'ment' (mind) the product.

📖 Example

While scrolling through social media, she saw a funny advertisement for a new brand of healthy snacks. 🔊 While browsing social media, she noticed a humorous ad for a new brand of nutritious snacks.

🔗 Collocations

television advertisement – an ad broadcast on TV

print advertisement – an ad in a newspaper or magazine

online advertisement – an ad displayed on a website or app

🔄 Synonyms

ad (n.) – informal short form of advertisement

commercial (n.) – an advertisement on TV or radio

promotion (n.) – a campaign to advertise a product

🌱 Derivatives

advertise (v.) – to promote a product or service publicly

advertiser (n.) – a person or company that places advertisements

advertising (n.) – the business of creating and placing advertisements

📖 Cultural Story

The first English printed ad appeared in 1650. In the 19th century, mass media made advertising essential for business, leading to the modern advertising industry worth billions today.