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 should be a competition on which new private coach will have the best record and which new public school coach will have the best record. —Eric Sondheimer, Los Angeles Times, 21 June 2026

The quality of a child’s public school education being determined by ZIP code is categorically unfair AND inefficient. —Dr. Gisele C. Shorter, Hartford Courant, 19 June 2026

Robert Maher is a retired public school principal and superintendent. —Jordan Schriver, The Orlando Sentinel, 19 June 2026

By aligning graduation standards to the actual admissions requirements of the state’s public colleges — and by requiring FAFSA completion and a resume — Rhode Island is making sure that a diploma earned in its public schools actually opens the door to what comes next. —Matt Gandal, Forbes.com, 18 June 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