public
adjective
uk/ˈpʌblɪk/ usrelating to ordinary people in general, rather than being limited to a particular group only:
Proper archiving and preservation will ensure permanent public access to government information.
They are trying to get public support for their takeover bid.
public opinion/confidence/trust
Senior politicians have been accused of failing to act in the public interest.
GOVERNMENT
relating to the government and to the services it provides to people:
She has said repeatedly that she would not seek public office again.
Why should public money be pumped into companies geared to profit?
The OECD is encouraging member states to keep a watchful eye on public finances, in part by encouraging more efficiency in the health care system of individual countries.
public services/funding/spending
known about by people in general:
The retailer has been working to improve its public image in the face of ongoing criticism.
The question of bonus payments to bankers has been the subject of much public discussion in recent times.
available for anyone to hear, watch, go to, or be involved in:
The company is holding a public meeting tonight to describe the proposal to residents.
a public inquiry/investigation/hearing
available for everyone to use:
a public telephone/library
public transport
STOCK MARKET, FINANCE
available to be bought by everyone, not just by people who are already shareholders:
Class A shares may be purchased at the public offering price.
go public
STOCK MARKET
a company that goes public makes shares available on a stock market for the first time:
After going public last May at $20 per share, they traded as high as $86 in October.
See also
initial public offering
in public
if something is done or said in public, everyone knows or hears about it:
These are issues that should be discussed in public.
make (sth) public
to say or publish something in order that everyone knows or hears about it:
The annual financial disclosure report was made public yesterday.
Compare
private
public
noun
uk/ˈpʌblɪk/ usthe public
ordinary people in general:
The role of watchdogs is to protect the public.
Air traffic controllers, baggage handlers, and members of the public were called to give evidence after a major security lapse at one of Europe's busiest airports.
See also
the general public
the viewing/voting/investing, etc. public
all the people who are involved in or affected by a particular activity:
A recent TV documentary about mutual fund investments raised the awareness of the investing public about fund fees.