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

After this is done, Indiana will be left with 1,700 degree programs at public schools, given that some have been added since this process began. —Kayla Dwyer, IndyStar, 1 Apr. 2026

The government has converted hundreds of public schools into shelters and pitched tents for displaced families beneath the bleachers of the city's main sports stadium. —ABC News, 1 Apr. 2026

That includes $226 million for the Hartford public schools — the highest total for any community in the state. —Christopher Keating, Hartford Courant, 1 Apr. 2026

Only about a third of Oakland’s public school students read at grade level, which has inspired Eat. —Jacqueline Munis, Fortune, 1 Apr. 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