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 success rate of 68% was an improvement over last year's 58% hunter success on public land. Arkansas Online, 14 Oct. 2025 On the county side, Martin has a track record of scoring the votes needed for his profit-making ventures involving public land. Pedro Portal, Miami Herald, 14 Oct. 2025 The situation is dangerous and reckless for our parks, public lands and the visitors who love them. Stepheny Price, FOXNews.com, 14 Oct. 2025 Infinite Outdoors and its sponsors — including the Mule Deer Foundation and the hunting gear company Primos — pay landowners to allow a limited number of people each day to pass for free through their property to enter public land. Elise Schmelzer, Denver Post, 13 Oct. 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

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Cite this Entry

“Public land.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/public%20land. Accessed 21 Oct. 2025.

Legal Definition

public land

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