public land

noun

: land owned by a government
specifically : that part of the U.S. public domain subject to sale or disposal under the homestead laws

Examples of public land in a Sentence

the management of public lands The government will auction off 20 parcels of public land.
Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
The environmental high point of the past year for me was when Western politicians, led by Republican Representative Ryan Zinke of Montana and backed by constituents across the political spectrum, thwarted Senator Mike Lee’s plans to sell off public lands. John Reid, The Atlantic, 14 May 2026 Corner crossing, to Callaghan’s point, involves stepping from public land to public land without touching private property. Natalie Krebs, Outdoor Life, 14 May 2026 Cat Uden, a longtime resident who has helped lead the charge against the project, said the tower does not belong on public land at the beach. Susannah Bryan, Sun Sentinel, 11 May 2026 Starting amid towering saguaros and spindly ocotillos, and ending in a thriving aspen forest, these 27 miles connect scenic overlooks, a number of federally run public lands, a serene little mountain town, and much more. Cu Fleshman, Travel + Leisure, 10 May 2026 See All Example Sentences for public land

Word History

First Known Use

1789, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of public land was in 1789

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Public land.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/public%20land. Accessed 17 May. 2026.

Legal Definition

public land

noun
: land owned by a government
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