Public ˈpʌblɪk People Open Noun Bre Palace Complaints

• the palace is now open to the public.
• there have been many complaints from members of the public.
• the public has/have a right to know what is contained in the report.
• the theatre-going public

public

1. ordinary people in society in general
• see also general public
  https://www.oxfordlearnersdictionaries.com/definition/english/the-general-public
• The palace is now open to the public.
• There have been many complaints from members of the public.
• The public has/have a right to know what is contained in the report.
2. a group of people who share a particular interest or who are involved in the same activity
• the theatre-going public
• She knows how to keep her public (= for example, the people who buy her books) satisfied.
3. when other people, especially people you do not know, are present
• compare in private
  https://www.oxfordlearnersdictionaries.com/definition/english/private_2
• She doesn't like to be seen in public without her make-up on.
• They never argue in public.
4. to discuss your personal affairs in public, especially something embarrassing

Extra Examples

• He accused the administration of deliberately misleading the public on this issue.
• He rarely appears in public these days.
• Her work is now available to a wider public.
• Satellite television has provided the viewing public with a wide choice of programmes.
• The government was slow to inform the public about the health hazards of asbestos.
• The house is open to the public at weekends.
• She knows how to keep her public satisfied.
• The show drew 12% of the viewing public.
• the book-buying/reading/sporting/theatre-going/travelling/viewing public

Word Origin

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