public school

noun

1

: an endowed secondary boarding school in Great Britain offering a classical curriculum and preparation for the universities or public service

2

: a free tax-supported school controlled by a local governmental authority

Examples of public school in a Sentence

Both of their sons attend public school.

Recent Examples on the Web

Until very recently, children in West Texas public schools were punished, even beaten, for speaking Spanish; today bilingual education is thriving. — Lauren Villagran, USA Today, 28 June 2026

Lawmakers and the governor continue major investments in public schools, healthcare and agreed to increase spending on subsidized childcare and affordable housing. — Taryn Luna, Los Angeles Times, 27 June 2026

An opponent said some of the reading materials were meant for Sunday schools, not public schools. — Rachel Royster, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 27 June 2026

In the afternoon, students will partake in book clubs that read novels — a dying art in traditional public schools, driven in part by the increasing popularity of literacy curriculum programs that favor textbooks with short reading passages over whole books. — Cayla Bamberger, New York Daily News, 27 June 2026

Word History

First Known Use

1548, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Rhymes for public school

• minuscule
• molecule
• overrule
• poiseuille
• reticule
• ridicule
• vestibule
• ampoule
• bascule
• carpool
• cesspool
• ferrule

Kids Definition

public school

noun

1

: a British private school that gives a liberal education and prepares students for the universities

2

: an elementary or secondary school supported by taxes and operated by a local government