public school

noun

1

: an endowed secondary boarding school in Great Britain offering a classical curriculum and preparation for the universities or public service

2

: a free tax-supported school controlled by a local governmental authority

Examples of public school in a Sentence

Both of their sons attend public school.

Recent Examples on the Web

While the focus of the hearing was on expanding these programs, a critical issue was glaringly absent from the agenda: the chronic underfunding of our public schools. —Quintin Shepherd, Austin American-Statesman, 22 Nov. 2024

As a public school student, one of her greatest joys from Tuesday's election was Kentucky voting down Amendment 2. —Krista Johnson, The Courier-Journal, 20 Nov. 2024

In Oklahoma, state officials are seeking to include the Bible into public school lesson plans. —CBS News, 19 Nov. 2024

Announcing closures for Thursday were California State University’s Channel Islands campus and the community colleges and most public schools in Oxnard, Ventura and Moorpark. —Bay Area News Group, The Mercury News, 7 Nov. 2024

Word History

First Known Use

1548, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Kids Definition

public school

noun

1

: a British private school that gives a liberal education and prepares students for the universities

2

: an elementary or secondary school supported by taxes and operated by a local government