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

Our family lives in a smaller community served by two large and growing public school districts. —Arkansas Online, 15 Jan. 2026

Under California’s 66-year-old Master Plan for Higher Education, the UC and CSU systems were once the only public schools allowed to offer bachelor’s degrees. —Gary Robbins, San Diego Union-Tribune, 14 Jan. 2026

Why are so many public schools in the Valley closing? —Lorenzino Estrada, AZCentral.com, 14 Jan. 2026

The school board purchased the Hungerford land more than 70 years ago — for under market value and under controversial circumstances, some Eatonville residents argue — and operated a public school there for years. —Steven Walker, The Orlando Sentinel, 14 Jan. 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