public works

plural noun

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

Examples of public works in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web Meindl sponsored a resolution to create a sustainability manager position with public works, but McBride's executive budget denied that along with other staffing requests. Bridget Fogarty, Journal Sentinel, 15 Mar. 2024 Scott Kleinfeld, the township's assistant superintendent of public works, said Tuesday crews gathered 15 yards of debris from a 2-mile radius. Christina Hall, Detroit Free Press, 6 Mar. 2024 That means time and money for the city’s code enforcement and public works teams, which then have to dispatch staff to remove the debris. Judith Prieve, The Mercury News, 5 Mar. 2024 Chris Jost, the village's deputy director of public works, said the village increased hydrant flushing in July 2022 to twice a month for houses on Meadowbrook Drive. Quinn Clark, Journal Sentinel, 19 Feb. 2024 Emergency services and public works are still available. Destiny Torres, Orange County Register, 6 Feb. 2024 Baltimore County public works employees could not install the speed cameras because state law restricts the use of such devices to school zones, and the nearest classroom was a pre-K program at Timonium United Methodist Church that did not qualify. Baltimore Sun Editorial Board, Baltimore Sun, 30 Jan. 2024 The crew notified an inspector with the county's public works, the office stated in a release Friday. Keith Matheny, Detroit Free Press, 23 Feb. 2024 The man’s body was found in a stairwell by a public works employee at approximately 6:10 a.m., according to the Redondo Beach Police Department. Terry Castleman, Los Angeles Times, 17 Feb. 2024

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'public works.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

Word History

First Known Use

1600, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of public works was in 1600

Dictionary Entries Near public works

Cite this Entry

“Public works.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/public%20works. Accessed 28 Mar. 2024.

Kids Definition

public works

noun plural
: works (as schools, highways, or docks) constructed with public funds for public use

More from Merriam-Webster on public works

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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