private sector

American  

noun

1. the area of the nation's economy under private rather than governmental control.

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private sector British  

noun

1. the part of a country's economy that consists of privately owned enterprises Compare public sector

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private sector Cultural  

1. That part of an economy in which goods and services are produced by individuals and companies as opposed to the government, which controls the public sector.

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Etymology

Origin of private sector

First recorded in 1950–55

Example Sentences

On Wednesday, a separate report from ADP found the private sector added a better-than-expected 109,000 jobs in April compared with 61,000 in March.

From The Wall Street Journal • May 7, 2026

While emphasising the importance of engaging private sector shareholders, the ministers called for strengthening cooperation to promote fair competition and ensure product safety.

From Barron's • May 6, 2026

Months after his release, he announced an $800 million deal with the state railroad company, calling it “the largest private sector investment in the history of Iranian railways.”

From The Wall Street Journal • May 4, 2026

He speculated that Reform's proposals could involve something like the "mutual investment model" - where the private sector borrows up front and the Welsh government pays back over time.

From BBC • May 2, 2026

Thinking he could fare better in the private sector, he eventually quit the force to go into business with friends.

From "First They Killed My Father: A Daughter of Cambodia Remembers" by Loung Ung