Definition of "advocate"

advocate

/ˈæd.və.kət/

noun
plural advocates
1. Someone whose job is to speak for someone's case in a court of law; a counsel.
2. Anyone who argues the case of another; an intercessor.
  Quotations
  I neuer did incense his Maiestie / Against the Duke of Clarence, but haue bin / An earnest aduocate to plead for him.
  c. 1593 (date written), William Shakespeare, “The Tragedy of Richard the Third: […]”, in Mr. William Shakespeares Comedies, Histories, & Tragedies […] (First Folio), London: […] Isaac Iaggard, and Ed[ward] Blount, published 1623, (please specify the act number in uppercase Roman numerals, and the scene number in lowercase Roman numerals)
3. A person who speaks in support of something, or someone.
  Quotations
  "I think," replied the young advocate, unwilling to give up a point in which his feelings were interested, "that even you would believe in Walter Maynard's success in life, if you knew him. What has brought the world to its present state, but individual talent?"
  1837, L[etitia] E[lizabeth] L[andon], chapter X, in Ethel Churchill: Or, The Two Brides. […], volume I, London: Henry Colburn, […], page 104
  He became a tireless advocate for the needs of adults with IMD throughout Britain and internationally.
  2011 October 9, Alix Lee, The Guardian
4. A person who supports others to make their voices heard, or ideally for them to speak up for themselves.
verb
third-person singular simple present advocates, present participle advocating, simple past and past participle advocated
1. (transitive) To plead in favour of; to defend by argument, before a tribunal or the public; to support, vindicate, or recommend publicly.
  Quotations
  To advocate the cause of thy client.
  7 March, 1624, Robert Sanderson, sermon at the Assizes, at Lincoln
  This is the only thing distinct and sensible, that has been advocated.
  16 June, 1784, Edmund Burke, speech on reform of representation in the House of Commons
2. (transitive) To encourage support for something.
  Quotations
  Those who have advocated the closure of the G.C. have so far failed to say by which alternative route this North-to-West traffic could be carried.
  1960 December, B. Perren, “The role of the Great Central—present and future”, in Trains Illustrated, page 765
  Varys even leans on Jon to assume the Iron Throne, which means he very well knew he wasn’t going to be around much longer, if he’s openly advocating others commit treason as well.
  2019 May 12, Alex McLevy, “Westeros faces a disastrous final battle on the penultimate Game of Thrones (newbies)”, in The A.V. Club‎
  Back in 1963, how could Beeching advocate closure of the electrified Liverpool-Southport commuter route, just because its books didn't balance? The busy North London line between Richmond and Broad Street was also for the axe, as was Leeds to Bradford and Ilkley.
  2023 March 8, Howard Johnston, “Was Marples the real railway wrecker?”, in RAIL, number 978, page 50
3. (intransitive, with for) To engage in advocacy.
  Quotations
  And why has no one in the [rail] industry advocated for a universal requirement for face covering (even if it's just a scarf or old tea towel), [...].
  2020 June 3, Christian Wolmar, “Unworkable policies cripple our beleaguered railway”, in Rail, page 51
4. (Scotland, law) To appeal from an inferior court to the Court of Session.
5. (Scotland, law, in higher courts) To call a case before itself for decision.

Definition of "advocate"

advocate

noun

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verb

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