'publicize' originates from the adjective 'public' (from Latin 'publicus') combined with the verb-forming suffix '-ize' (from Greek '-izein' via Latin/Old French), where 'publicus' meant 'of the people' and the suffix '-ize' meant 'to make or to render'.

'publicize' was formed in modern English (19th century) from earlier French formations such as 'publiciser' and from English adjective 'public' plus the productive suffix '-ize'; the British spelling 'publicise' also developed and both forms have existed in modern usage (US favors '-ize').

Initially it meant 'to make public' or 'to render public'; over time this broadened to include promoting or giving publicity (commercial or informational) and remains largely the same in modern usage.