public

pub-lic · adjective

imported

Definitions

adjective

  1. 1.

    Of or concerning the people as a whole.

  2. 2.

    Open to or shared by all people.

  3. 3.

    Done, perceived, or existing in open view.

  4. 4.

    Of or provided by the government rather than private companies.

  5. 5.

    (the public) Ordinary people in general.

  6. 6.

    A section of the community with a particular interest.

Phrases & expressions

  • •
    go public — Make information known; (of a company) offer shares for sale.
  • •
    in public — In a place where one can be seen or heard by others.
  • •
    public eye — The state of being known or scrutinized by many people.
  • •
    public relations — The professional maintenance of a favorable image.
  • •
    public speaking — The act of addressing an audience.
  • •
    the general public — Ordinary people as a whole.

Related words

Antonyms: personal, private, restricted, secret
See also: community, government, private, society
Synonyms: common, communal, open, shared

Etymology

From Old French public, from Latin publicus ("of the people, belonging to the state"), from populus ("people").