public school

noun

Synonyms of public schoolnext
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
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.
Traditional public school enrollment in the district is down from 352,000 in 2006-07 to about 217,000 to start this year. — Austin Horn august 29, Miami Herald, 29 Aug. 2026 While some public schools report that nearly all students have been vaccinated against measles, mumps and rubella, some Mennonite and Christian schools in Lancaster County report vaccination rates below 50%. — Brenda Goodman, CNN Money, 28 Aug. 2026 Asked about the specific mental health uses laid out by the settlement agreement and the attorney general, an IFT spokesperson doubled down, arguing that better public schools would be the best way to remediate harm done to Illinois children. — Olivia Olander, Chicago Tribune, 28 Aug. 2026 Harald attended public schools, the Norwegian military college and Oxford University. — CBS News, 28 Aug. 2026 See All Example Sentences for public school

Word History

First Known Use

1548, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of public school was in 1548

Rhymes for public school

See All Rhymes for public school

Browse Nearby Words

public sale
public school
public sector
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Cite this Entry

“Public school.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/public%20school. Accessed 1 Sep. 2026.

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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

More from Merriam-Webster on public school

Thesaurus: All synonyms and antonyms for public school

Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about public school

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