pub·lic 1 adj
1 a: exposed to general view
public indecency
b: known or recognized by many or most people
2 a: of, relating to, or affecting all of the people or the whole area of a nation or state
public statutes
b: of or relating to a government: authorized by, administered by, or acting for the people as a political entity
public expenditures
the public prosecutor
c: of, relating to, or being in the service of the community or nation
holding public office
d: provided for, used by, or containing the records of a government agency
the post office and other public buildings
3: of or relating to people in general
4: of or relating to business or community interests as opposed to private affairs
a matter of public concern
5: devoted to the general or national welfare
actions motivated by public spirit
6: accessible to or shared by all members of the community
a public hearing
a public park compare private
7: capitalized in shares that can be freely traded on the open market
— often used with go
pub·lic·ly adv
public 2 n
1: a place accessible or visible to the public
— usu. used in the phrase in public
2: the people as a whole
Merriam-Webster’s Dictionary of Law. Merriam-Webster. 1996.