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

Over the past year, Winters led AI training for over 7,000 teachers, almost a third of Utah’s public school instructors. — ABC News, 21 Aug. 2026

The curriculum—a first for the local public school system—was also a bid to control communal loyalties in Hawaii, which the United States had annexed in 1898. — H.m.a. Leow, JSTOR Daily, 21 Aug. 2026

Two other public school teachers in the Tampa Bay region who spoke for this story asked to keep their identities hidden. — Jessica Meszaros, Miami Herald, 21 Aug. 2026

Niche named North Star Charter School the best public school in Ada County serving students in kindergarten through 12th grade, according to Niche. — Hali Smith, Idaho Statesman, 21 Aug. 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