public works

plural noun

|Updated on: 20 Jun 2018

Definition of public works

: works (such as schools, highways, docks) constructed for public use or enjoyment especially when financed and owned by the government

Recent Examples of public works from the Web

The city’s police and fire departments account for 66 percent of the general fund expenditures under the new budget with the public works department accounting for the next largest chunk at 10 percent.

— j. harry jones, sandiegouniontribune.com, "Escondido approves budget; Diaz silently votes no," 14 June 2018
The storm, which was marked by heavy winds, drenching rain and reports of hail the size of golf balls, plunged more than 150,000 homes into darkness and left weeks of clean up for local public works departments.

— nicholas rondinone, courant.com, "Blumenthal, DeLauro To Meet With FEMA In Hamden To Talk Storm Damage," 11 June 2018
In a separate response, Freeman assured readers that public works employees clean parks on Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays.

— don stacom, Courant Community, "Facebook Complaint Of 'Destroyed' Pope Park Playground Draws Response From City Official," 10 June 2018
Or city officials could opt to exchange the police land for about 1.7 acres on Maguire Court that abuts city public works property on Crafts Street, plus a payment of $7 million to the city.

— john hilliard, BostonGlobe.com, "Newton developer proposes mixed-use development to replace city’s police headquarters," 7 June 2018
Crews have dug out sand, tree stumps, building debris and even massive historic mill stones from storm drains and culverts, county public works Director Jim Irvin said.

— sarah meehan, baltimoresun.com, "Ellicott City braces for more rain following Sunday's flood," 31 May 2018
The public works department has five portable stormwater pumps on standby to deal with flooding, which could occur in low-lying areas of Shorecrest, Edgewater, Morningside, Brickell and waterfront swaths of Coconut Grove.

— joey flechas, miamiherald, "Ahead of Alberto, Miami will close public pools and keep portable pumps on standby | Miami Herald," 25 May 2018
Barbara Little, Jean Spagnoli and Jerry Zachar contributed to everything from the look of downtown and major public works projects to counseling others in times of need.

— steve sadin, chicagotribune.com, "3 longtime Deerfield employees head to retirement," 25 May 2018
Hold public works accountable Urban design shapes our very culture by making space for certain activities to take place.

— diana budds, Curbed, "How architecture can rebuild itself post #MeToo," 21 May 2018

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'public works.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.