public health

noun

: the art and science dealing with the protection and improvement of community health by organized community effort and including preventive medicine and sanitary and social science

Examples of public health in a Sentence

a disease that poses a serious threat to public health She got her degree in public health. Public health officials warned of an influenza outbreak.
Recent Examples on the Web
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Hosted by Armstrong Williams, the broadcast brings together leading voices in politics, law enforcement, and public health to explore how crime trends, border policy, and food policy are shaping the nation’s future. Bill Wachsberger, Baltimore Sun, 28 Feb. 2026 But for houses connected to public water and sewer, lot size rules are arbitrary, lacking even a fig leaf of public health or safety concern. Salim Furth, Boston Herald, 28 Feb. 2026 Many of the cuts have reflected the administration’s opposition to diversity, equity and inclusion practices as well as greater scrutiny of spending in areas such as climate change and public health. Sara Bedigian, Hartford Courant, 28 Feb. 2026 An emerging Florida public health emergency with potential life-or-death implications needs immediate action by the Legislature with two weeks left in the regular 60-day session. Sun Sentinel Editorial Board, Sun Sentinel, 28 Feb. 2026 See All Example Sentences for public health

Word History

First Known Use

1617, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of public health was in 1617

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Cite this Entry

“Public health.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/public%20health. Accessed 4 Mar. 2026.

Medical Definition

public health

noun
pub·​lic health ˌpəb-lik- How to pronounce public health (audio)
: the art and science dealing with the protection and improvement of community health by organized community effort and including preventive medicine and sanitary and social science

More from Merriam-Webster on public health

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