free school

American

noun

a privately run school organized as an alternative to the traditional public or private school, usually following a highly flexible approach to the curriculum and teaching methods.

Example Sentences

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

In London, and Wales, the offer of a universal free school meal has been extended to all primary school children up to Year 6.

From BBC • Apr. 12, 2026

Absence rates were higher for particular groups of pupils including those eligible for free school meals.

From BBC • Apr. 12, 2026

On Sunday, the government announced a one-day-per-week reduction in its free school meals programme, though not for areas with high malnutrition rates.

From Barron's • Mar. 31, 2026

The 9.9% tax will apply only to income over $1 million, and will be used to fund child care programs, free school meals, tax credits for working families and tax breaks for small businesses.

From The Wall Street Journal • Mar. 30, 2026

“Did you go to a free school in Haiti?”

From "American Street" by Ibi Zoboi

Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023