adjective
    
    always used before a noun :of, relating to, or affecting all or most of the people of a country, state, etc.
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    always used before a noun
    
    of, relating to, paid for by, or working for a government
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    supported by money from the government and from private contributors rather than by commercials
    
    
    
    able to be used by anyone :open or available to people in general rather than to just a few people
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    able to be seen or heard by many people
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    known to many people
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    offering shares or stock that can be traded on the open market
    
    
    
    go public
    
    to make something known to many people :to make something generally known by announcing it, publishing it, etc.
    
    
    
    to offer shares or stock that can be freely traded on the open market
    
    
    
    in the public eye
    
    
    
    public knowledge
    
    
    
    noun
    
    [singular] the public :the people of a country, state, etc.
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    a group of people who have a shared interest, quality, etc.
    
    
    
    
    
    in public
    
    in a place where you can be seen by many people :in a public place