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adj. 1. Of, concerning, or affecting the community or the people: the public good. 2. Maintained for or used by the people or community: a public park. 3. Capitalized in shares of stock that can be traded on the open market: a public company; took the company public. 4. Participated in or attended by the people or community: "Opinions are formed in a process of open discussion and public debate" (Hannah Arendt). 5. Connected with or acting on behalf of the people, community, or government: public office. 6. Enrolled in or attending a public school: transit passes for public students. 7. Open to the knowledge or judgment of all: a public scandal. n. Idioms: 1. The community or the people as a whole. 2. A group of people sharing a common interest: the reading public. 3. Admirers or followers, especially of a famous person. See Usage Note at collective noun. go public with Informal To reveal to the public a previously unknown or secret piece of information: The president finally had to go public with the scandal. in public In such a way as to be visible to the scrutiny of the people: "A career is born in public—talent in privacy" (Marilyn Monroe). [Middle English publik, from Old French public, from Latin pūblicus, alteration (influenced by pūbēs, adult population) of poplicus, from populus, people, of Etruscan origin.] public·ness n. |
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