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to speak or write in favor of; support or urge by argument; recommend publicly:
He advocated higher salaries for teachers.
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.
Contemporary Examples

His work has appeared or is forthcoming in The New York Times, Details, The advocate, The New York Post, and other venues.
The Problem With Pro-Choice Men Hugh Ryan February 4, 2010

“We do not advocate mass deportation,” says FAIR spokesman Dustin Carnevale.
Immigration’s New Poster Child Terry Greene Sterling June 11, 2010

That is an entirely unfair way of describing those who advocate a state founded on the principle of one person, one vote.
When Peace Seems Impossible: A Response to Hussein Ibish Michael Kagan May 20, 2012

McCain went on to advocate arming the rebels, saying “we need to make this a fair fight.”
Best of Sunday Talk: Mitt Romney, John McCain & More (Video) The Daily Beast Video June 16, 2012

But when it came to foreign policy, these new neocons did advocate something distinct.
‘Neoconservative’ Needs to Be Retired. Why Not Try ‘Imperialist’? Peter Beinart June 4, 2013

Historical Examples

Judge Andrews gave immediate promise of celebrity as an advocate.
Cleveland Past and Present Maurice Joblin

It was then that he again came to the front to advocate a just cause.
The Grand Old Man Richard B. Cook

Although a Roman by descent, I advocate not Roman intolerance.
Zenobia William Ware

I want you, moreover, to advocate our American doctrine of Protection.
Punchinello, Vol. 1, No. 8, May 21, 1870 Various

But, do you mean to advocate the instant manumission of all slaves, without regard to consequences?
Abolition a Sedition Geo. W. Donohue

verb (ˈædvəˌkeɪt)
(transitive; 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 law See also barrister, solicitor, counsellor
(Scots law) the usual word for barrister
n.

mid-14c., “one whose profession is to plead cases in a court of justice,” a technical term from Roman law, from Old French avocat “barrister, advocate, spokesman,” from Latin advocatus “one called to aid; a pleader, advocate,” noun use of past participle of advocare “to call” (as witness or advisor) from ad- “to” (see ad-) + vocare “to call,” related to vocem (see voice (n.)). Also in Middle English as “one who intercedes for another,” and “protector, champion, patron.” Feminine forms advocatess, advocatrice were in use in 15c.
v.

1640s, from advocate (n.). Related: Advocated; advocating; advocation.

(Gr. parakletos), one who pleads another’s cause, who helps another by defending or comforting him. It is a name given by Christ three times to the Holy Ghost (John 14:16; 15:26; 16:7, where the Greek word is rendered “Comforter,” q.v.). It is applied to Christ in 1 John 2:1, where the same Greek word is rendered “Advocate,” the rendering which it should have in all the places where it occurs. Tertullus “the orator” (Acts 24:1) was a Roman advocate whom the Jews employed to accuse Paul before Felix.