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

Governor Ron DeSantis is proposing to spend $300 million for student safety measures in next year’s budget, a $10 million increase from last year, but the funding can only be used for public schools. —Lauren Costantino, Miami Herald, 2 May 2026

In the preceding weeks, at least 20 of North Carolina’s 115 public school districts canceled Friday classes due to a high number of teachers requesting leave to participate in the protest. —Rebecca Noel, Charlotte Observer, 2 May 2026

The district has about 7% of the state’s public school students. —Andrew J. Campa, Los Angeles Times, 2 May 2026

That includes $226 million for the Hartford public schools — the highest total for any community in the state. —Christopher Keating, Hartford Courant, 2 May 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