1 always used before a noun : of, relating to, or affecting all or most of the people of a country, state, etc.
▪ public opinion ▪ Public outrage over the scandal eventually forced him to resign. ▪ The ads are intended to increase public awareness of the risks of smoking. ▪ a study of public policy [=government policies that affect the whole population] ▪ He is the director of public affairs. [=his work involves events, activities, etc., that a company does for the public] 2 always used before a noun a : of, relating to, paid for by, or working for a government
▪ She was elected to a public office. ▪ public spending/funding ▪ public education/housing ▪ a public corporation ▪ a public prosecutor/officer ▪ He was in Congress for many years but he recently retired from public life.
b : supported by money from the government and from private contributors rather than by commercials
▪ public television/radio 3 a : able to be used by anyone : open or available to people in general rather than to just a few people
▪ a public library/restroom/telephone/beach ▪ public property ▪ They decided on a nearby restaurant as a convenient public place to meet. ▪ The government has allowed public access to the documents. ▪ The city council is holding a public meeting.
b : able to be seen or heard by many people
▪ This will be her first public performance in five years. ▪ a public apology ▪ Her trial will be public. 4 : known to many people
▪ As a celebrity, she is trying to keep her private life separate from her public life. ▪ The scandal ruined his public image. [=the scandal caused many people to change their opinion of him from good to bad] ▪ a public figure [=a well-known person] ▪ The results of the study have been made public. [=have been announced, published, etc., so that they are generally known] 5 : offering shares or stock that can be traded on the open market
▪ a public corporation/company — opposite private; see also initial public offering