the public
noun
: the people of a country, state, etc.
the American public
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.
Examples of the public in a Sentence
Recent Examples on the Web
Local broadcasters have an obligation to serve the public interest.
—
Robert Birsel
gabe Whisnant, MSNBC Newsweek, 18 Sep. 2025
There wasn’t any outreach to the public or health experts ahead of the vote.
—Anna Clark, ProPublica, 18 Sep. 2025
In the public markets, as an example of that approach, Mounsey-Heysham points to a company such as virtual meetings giant Zoom.
—David Prosser, Forbes.com, 17 Sep. 2025
Wednesday’s hearing will spotlight some of Kennedy’s most high-profile critics within the public health system.
—Nathaniel Weixel, The Hill, 17 Sep. 2025
See All Example Sentences for the public
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.
Robert Birsel
gabe Whisnant, MSNBC Newsweek, 18 Sep. 2025
There wasn’t any outreach to the public or health experts ahead of the vote.
—Anna Clark, ProPublica, 18 Sep. 2025
In the public markets, as an example of that approach, Mounsey-Heysham points to a company such as virtual meetings giant Zoom.
—David Prosser, Forbes.com, 17 Sep. 2025
Wednesday’s hearing will spotlight some of Kennedy’s most high-profile critics within the public health system.
—Nathaniel Weixel, The Hill, 17 Sep. 2025
See All Example Sentences for the public
Cite this Entry
“The public.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/the%20public. Accessed 20 Sep. 2025.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share