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

Christians with political influence have made their beliefs known in the fight to blend religion and government, including infusing more religion into public schools. — Lauren Costantino, Miami Herald, 18 July 2026

This became an all out crisis when almost 50,000 migrant children unexpectedly arrived in our public schools in 2023 and 2024, and many schools lacked staff who could communicate with these children. — Lincoln Restler, New York Daily News, 18 July 2026

The cy pres doctrine prevents it from redirecting funds to other institutions, such as nearby public schools, or related purposes, such as college scholarships for low-income students. — Thomas Adam, The Conversation, 16 July 2026

Advocates of private-school voucher programs argue against restrictions on how the schools operate and push back against the type of oversight enforced on public schools. — Jennifer Smith Richards, ProPublica, 16 July 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