1
2
a
: of, relating to, or affecting all the people or the whole area of a nation or state
public law
b
: of or relating to a government
c
: of, relating to, or being in the service of the community or nation
3
a
: of or relating to people in general : universal
b
: of, by, for, or directed to the public (see public entry 2 sense 2) : popular
in the public eye
a campaign to raise public awareness of the issue
He's certainly aware that public opinion has soured on him this year …—
Bryan Rolli
Bryan Rolli4
: of or relating to business or community interests as opposed to private affairs : social
5
: devoted to the general or national welfare : humanitarian
6
a
: accessible to or shared by all members of the community
b
: capitalized in shares that can be freely traded on the open market
—often used with go
7
: supported by public funds and private contributions rather than by income from commercials
public radio
public television
publicness
noun
plural publics
1
: a place accessible or visible to the public
—usually used in the phrase in public
2
: the people as a whole : populace
3
: a group of people having common interests or characteristics
specifically
: the group at which a particular activity or enterprise aims
Synonyms
Examples of public in a Sentence
Adjective
Public outrage over the scandal eventually forced him to resign.
The ads are intended to increase public awareness of the risks of smoking.
She was elected to a public office.
He was in Congress for many years but he recently retired from public life.
They decided on a nearby restaurant as a convenient public place to meet.
The government has allowed public access to the documents.
The city council is holding a public meeting.
This will be her first public performance in five years.
Her trial will be public.
Noun
The beach is open to the public.
The general public is in favor of the law.
Members of the public called for the mayor's resignation.
Recent Examples on the WebBilly Stockwell, CNN, 5 Apr. 2024
Meanwhile, just a day after sharing the big news, Michele, along with her baby bump, made her first public appearance during a performance at the Radio City Musical Hall.
—Jenny Haward, Peoplemag, 5 Apr. 2024
In a recording of the March 25 town meeting when the changes started, some residents got up to speak during public comments.
—Jeff A. Chamer, Charlotte Observer, 5 Apr. 2024
Direct travel spending includes things like hotels, tours, and transportation, as well as public investment in these types of services.
—Rachel Cormack, Robb Report, 5 Apr. 2024
The Kansas Senate blocked a budget for K-12 schools on Thursday after intense opposition from public education groups.
—Katie Bernard, Kansas City Star, 5 Apr. 2024
Imagine if that information became public, and the community started bashing him.
—Stephanie Dillon, Rolling Stone, 5 Apr. 2024
The double cancer blow raises questions about an institution under strain with fewer figures to make public appearances.
—Karla Adam, Washington Post, 24 Mar. 2024
Trump’s media company is going public, netting him billions.
—Andrew J. Campa, Los Angeles Times, 24 Mar. 2024
Allison Torres Burtka and Hannah Dellinger, Detroit Free Press, 5 Apr. 2024
Boeing is scrambling to reassure regulators, its customers and the flying public after part of an Alaska Airlines jet blew out in midflight shortly after takeoff from Portland International Airport on Jan. 5 and left a gaping hole in the side of the aircraft.
—Lori Aratani, Washington Post, 2 Apr. 2024
The lawsuit marks the latest twist in the legal saga surrounding the quest to bring Trump Media and Truth Social public — a deal that has spiked Trump’s net worth and created a frenzy on Wall Street.
—Cnn.com Wire Service, The Mercury News, 2 Apr. 2024
The central library in Austin, Texas, will host a public viewing with activities for kids.
—Caitlin Babcock, The Christian Science Monitor, 2 Apr. 2024
And he’s got an Israeli public that, basically, can’t stand him.
—Isaac Chotiner, The New Yorker, 2 Apr. 2024
In turn, the patrons’ local allies must respond to their own publics, particularly if events demand it.
—Joost Hiltermann, Foreign Affairs, 28 Mar. 2024
The community has fundraised to keep this public well a part of the neighborhood, but it isn't recommended to drink the well's water.
—Gina Lee Castro, Journal Sentinel, 28 Mar. 2024
Former President Donald Trump’s net worth ballooned by several billion dollars following a merger that took Truth Social public, making the social media site among his most profitable investments of all time.
—Brendan Rascius, Miami Herald, 26 Mar. 2024
Adjective
The East Wing of Buckingham Palace, which includes the famous central balcony where members of the royal family gather for public appearances, will also be open to the public this summer for the first time.
—Billy Stockwell, CNN, 5 Apr. 2024
Meanwhile, just a day after sharing the big news, Michele, along with her baby bump, made her first public appearance during a performance at the Radio City Musical Hall.
—Jenny Haward, Peoplemag, 5 Apr. 2024
In a recording of the March 25 town meeting when the changes started, some residents got up to speak during public comments.
—Jeff A. Chamer, Charlotte Observer, 5 Apr. 2024
Direct travel spending includes things like hotels, tours, and transportation, as well as public investment in these types of services.
—Rachel Cormack, Robb Report, 5 Apr. 2024
The Kansas Senate blocked a budget for K-12 schools on Thursday after intense opposition from public education groups.
—Katie Bernard, Kansas City Star, 5 Apr. 2024
Imagine if that information became public, and the community started bashing him.
—Stephanie Dillon, Rolling Stone, 5 Apr. 2024
The double cancer blow raises questions about an institution under strain with fewer figures to make public appearances.
—Karla Adam, Washington Post, 24 Mar. 2024
Trump’s media company is going public, netting him billions.
—Andrew J. Campa, Los Angeles Times, 24 Mar. 2024
Noun
In a letter earlier this year to Michigan lawmakers on legislative priorities, Rice said parents should be able to choose from among public (including charter), private, parochial, and home schools.
—Allison Torres Burtka and Hannah Dellinger, Detroit Free Press, 5 Apr. 2024
Boeing is scrambling to reassure regulators, its customers and the flying public after part of an Alaska Airlines jet blew out in midflight shortly after takeoff from Portland International Airport on Jan. 5 and left a gaping hole in the side of the aircraft.
—Lori Aratani, Washington Post, 2 Apr. 2024
The lawsuit marks the latest twist in the legal saga surrounding the quest to bring Trump Media and Truth Social public — a deal that has spiked Trump’s net worth and created a frenzy on Wall Street.
—Cnn.com Wire Service, The Mercury News, 2 Apr. 2024
The central library in Austin, Texas, will host a public viewing with activities for kids.
—Caitlin Babcock, The Christian Science Monitor, 2 Apr. 2024
And he’s got an Israeli public that, basically, can’t stand him.
—Isaac Chotiner, The New Yorker, 2 Apr. 2024
In turn, the patrons’ local allies must respond to their own publics, particularly if events demand it.
—Joost Hiltermann, Foreign Affairs, 28 Mar. 2024
The community has fundraised to keep this public well a part of the neighborhood, but it isn't recommended to drink the well's water.
—Gina Lee Castro, Journal Sentinel, 28 Mar. 2024
Former President Donald Trump’s net worth ballooned by several billion dollars following a merger that took Truth Social public, making the social media site among his most profitable investments of all time.
—Brendan Rascius, Miami Herald, 26 Mar. 2024
These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'public.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.
Word History
Etymology
Adjective
Middle English publique, from Anglo-French, from Latin publicus; akin to Latin populus people
First Known Use
Adjective
14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1a
Noun
15th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1
Time Traveler
The first known use of public was
in the 14th century
Phrases Containing public
Dictionary Entries Near public
Cite this Entry
“Public.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/public. Accessed 16 Apr. 2024.
Copy Citation
Kids Definition
public
1 of 2 adjective
pub·lic
ˈpəb-lik 
1
a
: of, relating to, belonging to, or affecting all the people
public law
b
: provided by the government
public education
c
: relating to or engaged in the service of the community or nation
public life
2
: of or relating to community interests as opposed to private affairs
a radio program in the public interest
3
: devoted to the general welfare
needed leaders with public spirit
4
: open to or shared by all
a public meeting
the public library
5
a
: generally known
the story became public
b
: well-known
a public figure
6
: supported by income from public funds and private contributions rather than by commercials
public television
publicly
adverb
public
2 of 2 noun1
: a place open or visible to people
seen in public
2
: the people as a whole
a lecture open to the public
3
: a particular group of people
a writer's public
Legal Definition
public
1 of 2 adjective
pub·lic
1
a
: exposed to general view
public indecency
b
: known or recognized by many or most people
2
a
: of, relating to, or affecting all of the people or the whole area of a nation or state
public statutes
b
: of or relating to a government : authorized by, administered by, or acting for the people as a political entity
public expenditures
the public prosecutor
c
: of, relating to, or being in the service of the community or nation
holding public office
d
: provided for, used by, or containing the records of a government agency
the post office and other public buildings
3
: of or relating to people in general
4
: of or relating to business or community interests as opposed to private affairs
public policy
5
: devoted to the general or national welfare
6
: accessible to or shared by all members of the community
a public hearing
compare private
7
: capitalized in shares that can be freely traded on the open market
—often used with go
publicly
adverb
public
2 of 2 noun1
: a place accessible or visible to the public
—usually used in the phrase in public
2
: the people as a whole
More from Merriam-Webster on public
Nglish: Translation of public for Spanish Speakers
Britannica English: Translation of public for Arabic Speakers
Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about public
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