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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

a change.org pet-tion to the british emb-ssy advocating for attention on the case was shut down, after 516 signatures.
lesbian brit kidnapped to be ‘cured’ in congo nina strochlic august 28, 2014

i am not advocating the end of fraternities—greek life is fun and valuable if done correctly.
frat culture’s woman problem samantha wishman april 21, 2011

in the course of advocating legalized pot, he also radically redefined christianity.
is pat robertson’s reefer madness code for resisting mormon advances? lee siegel march 9, 2012

minnesota archbishop john nienstedt, 67, has spent years advocating against gay marriage.
the anti-gay archbishop who can’t stay out of trouble olivia nuzzi july 5, 2014

these critics have no problem with advocating for populist liberal causes, such as fair housing or the environment.
in defense of israel advocacy david bernstein july 8, 2012

historical examples

third, the foolish or nebulous arguments of many of those who have been advocating trade schools.
charities and the commons: the pittsburgh survey, part i: the people various

of his earnestness in advocating it there was not the slightest question.
the flag homer greene

her influence with members of congress induced them to concur in advocating his election; he was elected.
nature and culture harvey rice

was it, this time, advocating causes, or entering into inquiries?
a likely story william de morgan

nothing in the whole matter surprised him more than her eagerness in advocating the proposal.
the claverings anthony trollope

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.