Public People ˈpʌblɪk General Government Ordinary Adjective Campaign

• the campaign is designed to increase public awareness of the issues.
• levels of waste from the factory may be a danger to public health.
• public safety must come first.
• why would the closure of hospitals be in the public interest (= useful to ordinary people)?

public

1. connected with ordinary people in society in general
• The campaign is designed to increase public awareness of the issues.
• Levels of waste from the factory may be a danger to public health.
• Public safety must come first.
• Why would the closure of hospitals be in the public interest (= useful to ordinary people)?
• The government had to bow to public pressure.
2. provided, especially by the government, for the use of people in general
• OPPOSITE private
  https://www.oxfordlearnersdictionaries.com/definition/english/private_2
• a public education system
• a public library
3. connected with the government and the services it provides
• OPPOSITE private
  https://www.oxfordlearnersdictionaries.com/definition/english/private_2
• public money/spending/funding
• He spent much of his career in public office (= working in the government).
• the public purse (= the money that the government can spend)
• The rail industry is no longer in public ownership (= controlled by the government).
• Schools are worried about public spending cuts.
4. known to people in general
• Details of the government report have not yet been made public.
• a public figure (= a person who is well known because they are often on the television, radio, etc.)
• She entered public life (= started a job in which she became known to the public) at the age of 25.
• This latest scandal will not have done their public image (= the opinion that people have of them) any good.
5. open to people in general; intended to be seen or heard by people in general
• There is a ban on smoking in public places.
• A public meeting to discuss the issue will be held tomorrow night.
• The company was forced to issue a public apology.
• The painting will be put on public display next week.
• This may be the band's last public appearance together.
• The reception and other public areas have been refurbished.
6. where there are a lot of people who can see and hear you
• OPPOSITE private
  https://www.oxfordlearnersdictionaries.com/definition/english/private_2
• Let's go somewhere a little less public.
7. to be something that everyone knows, especially in a particular community or group
• Their relationship is common knowledge.
8. to tell people about something that is a secret
• A court order failed to stop her going public with the story.
9. to start selling shares on the stock exchange
10. well known to many people through television, newspapers, the internet, etc.
• She doesn't want her children growing up in the public eye.

Word Origin

• late Middle English: from Old French, from Latin publicus, blend of poplicus ‘of the people’ (from populus ‘people’) and pubes ‘adult’.