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

Account holders in Arizona can also use them to pay for extracurricular programs at public schools, though use of the funds for the purchase of uniforms for such programs is only allowed if they are specifically required by the program. —Arkansas Online, 17 Nov. 2025

Horne has called the lack of attracting and retaining teachers across public school and charter districts a crisis. —Erick Trevino, AZCentral.com, 17 Nov. 2025

The drops in immigrant students add to strains on enrollment at many traditional public schools, which have seen overall numbers dip due to demographic changes and students opting for alternatives like private schools and homeschooling. —CBS News, 17 Nov. 2025

Florida’s expanded Schools of Hope law, passed at the very end of the legislative session, dramatically increases the power of certain charter school operators to enter, and in some cases take over, space on public school campuses. —Miami Herald, 17 Nov. 2025

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