private

adjective

pri·vate | \ ˈprī-vət

Definition of private

(Entry 1 of 2)

1a : intended for or restricted to the use of a particular person, group, or class a private park

b : belonging to or concerning an individual person, company, or interest a private house

c(1) : restricted to the individual or arising independently of others private opinion

(2) : carried on by the individual independently of the usual institutions a doctor in private practice also : being educated by independent study or a tutor or in a private school private students

d : not general in effect a private statute

e : of, relating to, or receiving hospital service in which the patient has more privileges than a semiprivate or ward patient

2a(1) : not holding public office or employment a private citizen

(2) : not related to one's official position : personal private correspondence

b : being a private

3a : withdrawn from company or observation a private retreat

b : not known or intended to be known publicly : secret

c : preferring to keep personal affairs to oneself : valuing privacy highly

d : unsuitable for public use or display

4 : not having shares that can be freely traded on the open market a private company

private

noun

Definition of private (Entry 2 of 2)

1 archaic : one not in public office

2 obsolete : privacy

3 privates plural : private parts

4a : a person of low rank in any of various organizations (such as a police or fire department)

b : an enlisted person of the lowest rank in the marine corps or of one of the two lowest ranks in the army

in private

: not openly or in public

Other Words from private Synonyms & Antonyms More Example Sentences Learn More about private

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Examples of private in a Sentence

Adjective

It was the first time many had seen works from the artist's private collection. At work he was always very serious, but in his private life, he was actually very funny and relaxed. Please keep all my personal information private. He's a very private person.

Recent Examples on the Web: Adjective

Others are demonstrating outside another Trump golf resort in western Scotland's Turnberry, where the president is staying for a private visit this weekend. — CBS News, "10,000 protest Trump in Edinburgh, Scotland -- live updates," 14 July 2018 True, there were moments of embarrassment in the hearing, as when Congressman Louie Gohmert tried to smear Strzok’s private life. — Jeet Heer, The New Republic, "The Washington Post worries Strzok hearings were bad for democracy.," 13 July 2018 The special account is tailored for the public sector, which includes state and local government agencies, public and private K-12 school districts and higher education organizations, and nonprofit businesses. — Suzanne Baker, Naperville Sun, "Governmental bodies jumping on Amazon bandwagon," 12 July 2018 During the melee, rioters broke windows, hurled objects at police, and set a limo afire, among other actions, causing more than $100,000 in damage to public and private property, prosecutors said. — Doug Stanglin, USA TODAY, "Feds drop charges against final 38 defendants over inauguration-day riots," 6 July 2018 The Reform Act had included public and private funding to recruit candidates and train them. — City Bureau, Chicago Reader, "Education / News / Politics When local school councils go rogue, can anything be done?," 2 July 2018 This bipartisan plan needs to be developed by a cross-section of public and private sector leaders, representing communities of all sizes with a healthy mix of varying constituencies. — kansascity, "Jean Paul Bradshaw," 30 June 2018 Services are private at the convenience of the family. — Orlando Sentinel, OrlandoSentinel.com, "Deaths in Central Florida: 7/12," 12 July 2018 Arrangements are private and being handled by the family. — Sun-Sentinel.com, "Deaths in South Florida: 7/5," 5 July 2018

Recent Examples on the Web: Noun

Torres is a private, though, and privates without sufficient training can’t walk the cyber school grounds by themselves. — Matt Gallagher, WIRED, "Army of 01101111: The Making of a Cyber Battalion," 27 Mar. 2018 The company already has specialized local offices servicing wealthy clients, home, student, business and consumer loans like its Philadelphia private-banking office, but has not built an area retail branch network up until now. — Joseph N. Distefano, Philly.com, "JPMorgan Chase plans new branches in Philly and beyond," 11 Apr. 2018 Though Spotify’s intentions were lauded, many have questioned its moral authority to punish acts for conduct in their privates lives. — Fortune, "Facing a Rebellion, Spotify Is Said to Rethink Policy on Artist Misconduct," 26 May 2018 Avoiding any hierarchy of prestige or loss, privates take their place alongside generals and national heroes. — Isabel Kershner, New York Times, "In Memorial to War Dead, Israel Avoids Addressing Its Conflicts," 16 Apr. 2018 So in the show ring, Max gets all glassy-eyed and thinks of fireworks and flowers and dancing with Arnett as the show judge inspects his privates. — Lisa Gutierrez, kansascity, "Parents say 'Show Dogs' movie grooms kids for sexual abuse. Now those scenes are cut | The Kansas City Star," 24 May 2018 Everyone else would sext you their privates for a fleeting feeling of human connection. — Antonio García Martínez, WIRED, "How Facebook Binds, and Shatters, Communities," 11 May 2018 In 2010, Manning, an Army private, contacted Mr. Lamo via instant message. — Jeffery C. Mays, BostonGlobe.com, "Adrian Lamo, 37, hacker who reported Chelsea Manning to the FBI," 19 Mar. 2018 Through its doors have walked privates and generals, seamen and admirals, Congressional Medal of Honor recipients, Purple Heart recipients, veterans of WWI, WWII, Korea, Vietnam, Iraq and Afghanistan. — Naperville Sun, "Letters to the editor: VFW post more than just a building, Bibbiano has qualifications for DuPage sheriff," 15 Mar. 2018

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'private.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.