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

There was broad bipartisan support among lawmakers this year for increasing state funding to public schools to help mitigate the problem. — Theo Peck-Suzuki, Hartford Courant, 22 Oct. 2026

The school was one of 16 public schools statewide, and the only school in the south and southwest suburbs, to earn the designation. — Michelle Mullins, Chicago Tribune, 22 Oct. 2026

This body of research forms some of the latticework of a social-reproduction theory of education, in which public schools are largely perceived as reflecting and reinforcing the socioeconomic structures of their surrounding community. — Jessica Winter, New Yorker, 22 Oct. 2026

Diesel fuel has hit record prices and that's putting the squeeze on public school districts all across the country. — Cbscolorado.com Staff, CBS News, 22 Oct. 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