verb (used with object),ad·vo·cat·ed,ad·vo·cat·ing.
to speak or write in favor of; support or urge by argument; recommend publicly: He advocated higher salaries for teachers.
verb (used without object),ad·vo·cat·ed,ad·vo·cat·ing.
to act as an advocate: a father who advocates for his disabled child.
noun
a person who speaks or writes in support or defense of a person, cause, etc. (usually followed by of): an advocate of peace.
a person who pleads for or in behalf of another; intercessor.
a person who pleads the cause of another in a court of law.
Origin of advocate
1300–50; <Latin advocātus legal counselor (originally past participle of advocāre to call to one's aid), equivalent to ad-ad- + voc- call (akin to vōxvoice) + -ātus-ate1; replacing Middle English avocat<Middle French
pre·ad·vo·cate,verb (used with object),pre·ad·vo·cat·ed,pre·ad·vo·cat·ing.re·ad·vo·cate,verb (used with object),re·ad·vo·cat·ed,re·ad·vo·cat·ing.sub·ad·vo·cate,nounun·ad·vo·cat·ed,adjectivewell-ad·vo·cat·ed,adjective
Voting-rights advocates said they are concerned with requirements that create more opportunities for voters to make mistakes and potentially make it less likely for their ballot to count.
Philadelphia election official warns ‘naked ballots’ may invalidate up to 100,000 votes|Michelle Lee|September 25, 2020|Washington Post
Of course, for many privacy advocates, surveillance drones capturing people’s every move is a dystopian nightmare.
Amazon debuted a long list of products today. Here are 3 standouts|jonathanvanian2015|September 24, 2020|Fortune
Globally, the commitment has been well received by climate advocates.
Experts praise China’s pledge to be carbon neutral by 2060—but more could be done|eamonbarrett|September 24, 2020|Fortune
Instead, according to records obtained by ProPublica, the deputy contacted the Heritage Foundation’s Hans von Spakovsky, a leading advocate for the discredited argument that American elections are tainted by widespread voting fraud.
Before Limiting Ballot Drop Boxes to One Per County, Top Ohio Election Officials Secretly Consulted Promoter of Debunked Voting Fraud Fears|by Mike Spies and Jake Pearson|September 24, 2020|ProPublica
This is a tremendous opportunity for someone who has the credibility and composure to lead the search community as an educator and an advocate.
We’re hiring a new content lead for Search Engine Land and SMX|Henry Powderly|September 23, 2020|Search Engine Land
I am fighting that quota because I am an advocate of competition.
Propaganda, Protest, and Poisonous Vipers: The Cinema War in Korea|Rich Goldstein|December 30, 2014|DAILY BEAST
Another step is to require a lawyer or advocate present during questioning of people with ID.
How the U.S. Justice System Screws Prisoners with Disabilities|Elizabeth Picciuto|December 16, 2014|DAILY BEAST
How, then, are LGBT people to advocate for their rights (civil, human, or otherwise) if they cannot even identify themselves?
The Straight Hero of Cameroon’s Gays|Jay Michaelson|December 10, 2014|DAILY BEAST
They possessed “wisdom beyond their years,” observed The Advocate.
The Rise and Fall of Chris Hughes and Sean Eldridge, America’s Worst Gay Power Couple|James Kirchick|December 9, 2014|DAILY BEAST
After all, spending is a valuable expression of the right to advocate for your point of view.
Undo Citizens United? We’d Only Scratch the Surface|Jedediah Purdy|November 12, 2014|DAILY BEAST
"Anyway, I'll bet she blows back w'ere she come from, to-night," persisted the advocate of this theory.
The Cruise of the Dry Dock|T. S. Stribling
In that case, it will be proven that advocate Desmarais is a hypocrite and a traitor!
The Sword of Honor, volumes 1 & 2|Eugne Sue
His son, who was called Josiah Junior, became a celebrated lawyer, and was prominent as an advocate of liberty.
The Pansy Magazine, June 1886|Various
Its advocate concedes that Ridicule, to be a test of Truth, must not impose on us circumstances which are foreign to the object.
Calamities and Quarrels of Authors|Isaac Disraeli
And through the rushing he hears more and more clearly the voice of the advocate, speaking sweetly as a violin.
Stories and Pictures|Isaac Loeb Peretz
British Dictionary definitions for advocate
advocate
verb (ˈædvəˌkeɪt)
(tr; may take a clause as object)to support or recommend publicly; plead for or speak in favour of
noun (ˈædvəkɪt, -ˌkeɪt)
a person who upholds or defends a cause; supporter
a person who intercedes on behalf of another
a person who pleads his client's cause in a court of lawSee also barrister, solicitor, counsellor
Scots law the usual word for barrister
Derived forms of advocate
advocatory, adjective
Word Origin for advocate
C14: via Old French from Latin advocātus legal witness, advocate, from advocāre to call as witness, from vocāre to call