公共の定義と意味 - メリアム・ウェブスター

PUBLIC Definition & Meaning - Merriam-Webster Est. 1828 Dictionary Definition adjective noun adjective 2 adjective noun Synonyms Example Sentences Word History Phrases Containing Rhymes Entries Near Cite this Entry Citation Kids Definition Kids Legal Definition Legal More from M-W Show more Show more Citation Kids Legal More from M-W Save Word To save this word, you'll need to log in. Log In public 1 of 2 adjective pub·​lic ˈpə-blik Synonyms of public Simple Definition A Simple Definition is available from our Learner's Dictionary to help you understand the meaning faster. 1 a : exposed to general view : open b : well-known , prominent c : perceptible , material 2 a : of, relating to, or affecting all the people or the whole area of a nation or state public law b : of or relating to a government c : of, relating to, or being in the service of the community or nation 3 a : of or relating to people in general : universal b : of, by, for, or directed to the public (see public entry 2 sense 2 ) : popular in the public eye a campaign to raise public awareness of the issue He's certainly aware that public opinion has soured on him this year … — Bryan Rolli 4 : of or relating to business or community interests as opposed to private affairs : social 5 : devoted to the general or national welfare : humanitarian 6 a : accessible to or shared by all members of the community b : capitalized in shares that can be freely traded on the open market — often used with go 7 : supported by public funds and private contributions rather than by income from commercials public radio public television publicness noun public 2 of 2 noun plural publics 1 : a place accessible or visible to the public — usually used in the phrase in public 2 : the people as a whole : populace 3 : a group of people having common interests or characteristics specifically : the group at which a particular activity or enterprise aims Synonyms of public Relevance Adjective open general broadcast publicized shared widespread Noun world people humanity See All Synonyms & Antonyms in Thesaurus Examples of public in a Sentence Adjective Public outrage over the scandal eventually forced him to resign. The ads are intended to increase public awareness of the risks of smoking. She was elected to a public office. He was in Congress for many years but he recently retired from public life. 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. This will be her first public performance in five years. Her trial will be public . Noun The beach is open to the public . The general public is in favor of the law. Members of the public called for the mayor's resignation. See More Recent Examples on the Web Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback . Adjective All that’s happening while Musk and Altman are pushing their respective companies towards public offerings that could be the largest in history. — Ashley Capoot, CNBC , 2 May 2026 The first round, announced in 2024, included projects aimed at improving traffic safety on California roads, enhancing language access to public programs for non-English speakers and answering taxpayers’ questions more efficiently. — William Melhado, Sacbee.com , 1 May 2026 Noun My wild-card contender is Euphoria, the drama that currently has the best claim on the attention span of the TV-watching public . — Joe Reid, Vulture , 2 May 2026 The campaign is also calling for experienced independent moderators to run the debate and that it be aired on accessible formats for the entire voting public . — Tim Dunn, Boston Herald , 2 May 2026 See All Example Sentences for public Word History Etymology Adjective Middle English publique, publike, borrowed from Anglo-French, borrowed from Latin pūblicus "of or belonging to the people as a body, authorized by the state, communal, available to all, universal," alteration (by blending with pūbēs "adult male population, group of able-bodied men," perhaps via an adjective derivative *pūbicus ) of earlier poplicus, from pop(u)lus "a human community, people, nation" + -icus -ic entry 1 — more at pubes , people entry 1 Noun Middle English in publike "in the open, in general view," borrowed from Middle French en publique, borrowed from Latin in pūblicō, from ablative of pūblicum "places accessible to the public," noun derivative from neuter of pūblicus "of the people as a body, public entry 1 " First Known Use Adjective 14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1a Noun 15th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1 Time Traveler The first known use of public was in the 14th century See more words from the same century Phrases Containing public caught the public imagination certified public accountant come to public notice common / public good for the common / public good go on public assistance go public hold (someone) up to (public) ridicule initial public offering in public in the national / public interest in the public domain in the public eye make public Members of the public notary public public access public address announcer public address system public affairs public assistance public convenience public defender public discourse public domain public enemy number one public figure public health public house public image public - key public knowledge public land public law public officer public policy public property public relations public sale public school public sector public servant public service public service announcement public - service corporation public speaker public speaking public - spirited public square public transit public transport public transportation public utility public works quasi - public the court of public / world opinion the general public the public the public domain the public purse See More Rhymes for public nonpublic republic semipublic See All Rhymes for public Browse Nearby Words publ public public access See all Nearby Words Cite this Entry Style MLA Chicago APA Merriam-Webster “Public.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary , Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/public. Accessed 4 May. 2026. Copy Citation Kids Definition public 1 of 2 adjective pub·​lic ˈpəb-lik 1 a : of, relating to, belonging to, or affecting all the people public law b : provided by the government public education c : relating to or engaged in the service of the community or nation public life 2 : of or relating to community interests as opposed to private affairs a radio program in the public interest 3 : devoted to the general welfare needed leaders with public spirit 4 : open to or shared by all a public meeting the public library 5 a : generally known the story became public b : well-known a public figure 6 : supported by income from public funds and private contributions rather than by commercials public television publicly adverb public 2 of 2 noun 1 : a place open or visible to people seen in public 2 : the people as a whole a lecture open to the public 3 : a particular group of people a writer's public Etymology Adjective Middle English publique "relating to the people as a whole, public," from early French publique (same meaning), from Latin publicus "belonging to the people as a whole," from populus "the people" — related to popular , republic Legal Definition public 1 of 2 adjective pub·​lic 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 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 publicly adverb public 2 of 2 noun 1 : a place accessible or visible to the public — usually used in the phrase in public 2 : the people as a whole More from Merriam-Webster on public Nglish: Translation of public for Spanish Speakers Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about public Last Updated: 3 May 2026 - Updated example sentences Love words? 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