public

adjective | pub·lic

1. a : exposed to general view public indecency

   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

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 public policy

5. : devoted to the general or national welfare

6. : accessible to or shared by all members of the community a public hearing — compare private

7. : capitalized in shares that can be freely traded on the open market —often used with go

noun

1. : a place accessible or visible to the public —usually used in the phrase in public

2. : the people as a whole