public

Main Entry:: ¹pub·lic
Pronunciation:: \ˈpə-blik\
Function:: adjective
Etymology:: Middle English publique, from Anglo-French, from Latin publicus; akin to Latin populus people
Date:: 14th century

1 a: exposed to general view : open b: well-known , prominent c: perceptible , material2 a: of, relating to, or affecting all the people or the whole area of a nation or state <public law> b: of or relating to a government c: of, relating to, or being in the service of the community or nation3 a: of or relating to people in general : universal b: general , popular4: of or relating to business or community interests as opposed to private affairs : social5: devoted to the general or national welfare : humanitarian6 a: accessible to or shared by all members of the community b: capitalized in shares that can be freely traded on the open market —often used with go7: supported by public funds and private contributions rather than by income from commercials <public radio> <public television>

— pub·lic·ness noun

Learn more about "public" and related topics at Britannica.com

See a map of "public" in the Visual Thesaurus

Find Jobs in Your City

Pronunciation Symbols