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

As public schools across the United States face heightened censorship and the threat of funding losses for noncompliance, school yearbooks remind us that there is nothing new about political censorship in schools. —Literary Hub, 25 Nov. 2025

But the competition to attract tax dollars from public schools is fierce. —Lily Altavena, Freep.com, 24 Nov. 2025

This worked well until her children started attending public school and their schedules fell out of sync with her job. —Lauren Hilgers, Harpers Magazine, 23 Nov. 2025

The latest Wisconsin state report cards using new standards set this summer showed 94% of 378 public school districts met, exceeded or significantly exceeded expectations for last school year. —La Risa R. Lynch, jsonline.com, 23 Nov. 2025

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