public Definition

public
adj

1. Relating to or concerning all the people of a country or community.

Example: public health
Example: public opinion
Thesaurus: common, accessible, universal, widespread, communal, civic, social; Antonym: private.
2. Relating to the organization and administration of a community.
3. Provided for the use of the community.

Example: public library
Example: public toilet
4. Well known through exposure in the media.

Example: a famous public figure
5. Made, done or held, etc openly, for all to see, hear or participate in.

Example: a public inquiry
6. Known to all.

Example: public knowledge
Example: make one's views public
7. Watched or attended by an audience, spectators, etc.
8. Open to view; not private or secluded.

Example: It's too public here
9. Provided by or run by central or local government

Example: under public ownership.

singular or plural noun

1. The people or community.

Thesaurus: community, society, population, citizens, multitude, nation, masses.
2. A particular class of people.

Example: the concert-going public
Thesaurus: audience, constituency, buyers, market, supporters, voters.
3. An author's or performer's, etc audience or group of devotees.

Example: mustn't disappoint my public

Idiom: go public

To become a public company.

To make something previously private known to everyone.

Idiom: in public

In the presence of other people.

Idiom: in the public eye

Said of a person, etc: well known through media exposure.

Etymology: 15c: from Latin publicus, from populus people.

Info:

○ Public can be treated as a singular or plural noun; to reinforce the plural the phrase members of the public is often used &wbox; &wbox; &wbox;