Definitions for publicˈpʌb lɪk

Random House Webster's College Dictionary

pub•licˈpʌb lɪk(adj.)

of, pertaining to, or affecting a population or a community as a whole:
a public nuisance.
done, made, acting, etc., for the community as a whole:
public prosecution.
open to all persons:
a public meeting.
of, pertaining to, or being in the service of a community or nation:
a public official.
Category: Government
maintained at the public expense and under public control:
a public library.
generally known:
The fact became public.
familiar to the public; prominent:
public figures.
open to the view of all; existing or conducted in public:
a public dispute.
pertaining or devoted to the welfare or well-being of the community:
public spirit.
of or pertaining to all humankind; universal.
(n.)the people constituting a community, state, or nation.
a particular group of people with a common interest, aim, etc.:
the book-buying public.

Idioms for public:

go public, to issue stock for sale to the general public. to present previously concealed information to the public.
Category: Idiom
in public,in a situation open to public notice, view, or access; publicly:
to quarrel in public.
Category: Idiom
make public,to cause to become known generally, as through the news media.
Category: Idiom

Origin of public:

1400–50; late ME publique (< MF) < L pūblicus

pub′lic•ness(n.)

Princeton's WordNet

populace, public, world(noun)
people in general considered as a whole
"he is a hero in the eyes of the public"
public(adj)
a body of people sharing some common interest
"the reading public"
public(adj)
not private; open to or concerning the people as a whole
"the public good"; "public libraries"; "public funds"; "public parks"; "a public scandal"; "public gardens"; "performers and members of royal families are public figures"
public(adj)
affecting the people or community as a whole
"community leaders"; "community interests"; "the public welfare"

Kernerman English Learner's Dictionary

public(adjective)ˈpʌb lɪk
≠ private
public buildings/parks/telephones; the public library; a public meeting; The information is public.; The government is making the report public today.
publicˈpʌb lɪk
involving or affecting all people
a public health threat; public safety; public knowledge of the issue
publicˈpʌb lɪk
≠ private
public policy; public funding
publicˈpʌb lɪk
≠ private
people kissing in public places
publicˈpʌb lɪk
to make information public
They went public with the report two months ago.
publicˈpʌb lɪk
to begin to trade a company's stock in the stock markets
When does the company intend to go public?
publicˈpʌb lɪk
in a place or situation that allows anyone to see or know about you
movie stars living life in the public eye
publicˈpʌb lɪk
≠ in private
He took off his clothes in public.

Wiktionary

public(Noun)
The people in general, regardless of membership of any particular group.
Members of the public may not proceed beyond this point.
public(Adjective)
Able to be seen or known by everyone; open to general view, happening without concealment.
public(Adjective)
Pertaining to all the people as a whole (as opposed a private group); concerning the whole country, community etc.
public(Adjective)
Officially representing the community; carried out or funded by the state on behalf of the community.
public(Adjective)
Open to all members of a community; especially, provided by national or local authorities and supported by money from taxes.
public(Adjective)
Traded publicly via a stock market.

Origin: From publik, public, public, publique et al., and their source, publicus, alteration (probably after pubes) of populicus, from populus. Compare people.

Webster Dictionary

Public(adj)
of or pertaining to the people; belonging to the people; relating to, or affecting, a nation, state, or community; -- opposed to private; as, the public treasury
Public(adj)
open to the knowledge or view of all; general; common; notorious; as, public report; public scandal
Public(adj)
open to common or general use; as, a public road; a public house
Public(noun)
the general body of mankind, or of a nation, state, or community; the people, indefinitely; as, the American public; also, a particular body or aggregation of people; as, an author's public
Public(noun)
a public house; an inn

Translations for public

Kernerman English Multilingual Dictionary

public(adjective)

of, for, or concerning, the people (of a community or nation) in general

a public library; a public meeting; Public opinion turned against him; The public announcements are on the back page of the newspaper; This information should be made public and not kept secret any longer.