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.
Domestically, Roosevelt’s progressive reforms—breaking up dozens of monopolies, modifying railroad rates, setting aside public lands for conservation—cut against the long run of industrial oligarchy enjoyed by assorted oil, timber, and coal kings in collusion with their congressional retainers. Literary Hub, 16 Dec. 2025 The Resistance Rangers An anonymous band of off-duty park rangers has risen up to defend America’s public lands from budget cuts, firings, and political neglect. The Editors, Outside, 15 Dec. 2025 All of the Texas coastline is considered public land, from the water to the dune line. Amanda Ogle, Travel + Leisure, 15 Dec. 2025 The federal Bureau of Land Management sold 6,800 acres of Nevada’s public land in April for oil and gas developments. Center Square, The Washington Examiner, 13 Dec. 2025 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 21 Dec. 2025.

Legal Definition

public land

noun
: land owned by a government
Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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