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public
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71 ENTRIES FOUND:
  1. public
  2. public access
  3. public accountant
  4. public accounting
  5. public account system
  6. public act
  7. public-address system
  8. public administration
  9. public administrator
  10. public assistance
  11. public bill
  12. public bond
  13. public charge
  14. public corporation
  15. public day
  16. public debt
  17. public defender
  18. public domain
  19. public enemy
  20. public funds
  21. public health
  22. public highway
  23. public house
  24. public housing
  25. public-key
  26. public land
  27. public law
  28. public liability insurance
  29. public library
  30. public member

1pub·lic

adjective \ˈpə-blik\

Definition of PUBLIC

1
a : exposed to general view : open
b : well-known, prominent
c : perceptible, material
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 : general, popular
4
: 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>
— pub·lic·ness noun
See public defined for English-language learners »
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Examples of PUBLIC

  1. Public outrage over the scandal eventually forced him to resign.
  2. The ads are intended to increase public awareness of the risks of smoking.
  3. She was elected to a public office.
  4. He was in Congress for many years but he recently retired from public life.
  5. They decided on a nearby restaurant as a convenient public place to meet.
  6. The government has allowed public access to the documents.
  7. The city council is holding a public meeting.
  8. This will be her first public performance in five years.
  9. Her trial will be public.

Origin of PUBLIC

Middle English publique, from Anglo-French, from Latin publicus; akin to Latin populus people
First Known Use: 14th century

Related to PUBLIC

Synonyms
open, on record
Antonyms
confidential, private, privy, secret

2public

noun

Definition of PUBLIC

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
See public defined for English-language learners »

Examples of PUBLIC

  1. The beach is open to the public.
  2. The general public is in favor of the law.
  3. Members of the public called for the mayor's resignation.

First Known Use of PUBLIC

15th century

Related to PUBLIC

Synonyms
folks, humanity, humankind, people, species, world
Antonyms
A-list, aristocracy, best, choice, corps d'elite, cream, elect, elite, fat, flower, pick, pink, pride, upper crust

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