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

His new documentary, follows a public school district in Virginia that requires every student to participate in vocational training, such as welding or carpentry. —Khaleda Rahman, MSNBC Newsweek, 21 Oct. 2025

Velicia Pernell was a teacher in the North Carolina public school system. —Essence, 21 Oct. 2025

Enrollment in Wisconsin's public school districts has continued to fall, while other types of schools are gaining students, according to the state's annual late September count. —Kayla Huynh, jsonline.com, 21 Oct. 2025

Starting next year, public schools can choose to be closed on Diwali, which changes dates every year because it is based on a lunar calendar. —Stephen Hobbs, Sacbee.com, 20 Oct. 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