Public: meaning, definitions and examples

Refers to things that are open or accessible to everyone. Often used in contexts related to society, government, or shared spaces.

• The public library is open to everyone
• Public opinion can influence government decisions

Broad or non-specific. Used to refer to widespread concepts or ideas without going into details.

• In general, people prefer comfort over style
• The general consensus was to postpone the event

Describes something that is found frequently or shared by many people. Often used in contexts of shared attributes or widespread phenomena.

• It's common for people to feel nervous before a big event
• They found common ground in their interests

Emphasizes a group or community working together or sharing something. Often used when discussing joint actions or shared responsibilities.

• The collective efforts of the team led to their success
• Collective bargaining is essential for workers' rights

Use this word when referring to people in general, especially when they are considered as a group in a societal or civic sense. This term is often used in formal contexts such as government, policy, or media.

• The new park will be open to the public next week.
• Public opinion is divided on this issue.

This term is typically used in a statistical or demographic context, referring to the number of people living in a specific area or belonging to a specific group. It can be used in scientific, economic, or healthcare discussions.

• The population of the city has been steadily increasing.
• Research shows that the elderly population is more vulnerable to the virus.

This word is suitable when referring to a group of people living in the same place or having a particular characteristic in common. It's often used to highlight a sense of belonging or collective identity.

• The local community came together to clean the park.
• She is an active member of the art community.

This word is used when talking about people living together in organized communities with shared laws, norms, and values. It’s often used in a broader sense to discuss cultural, social, or political frameworks.

• We live in a democratic society.
• Society must address these social inequalities.