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public-spirited

American

[puhb-lik-spir-i-tid] / ˈpʌb lɪkˈspɪr ɪ tɪd /

adjective

having or showing an unselfish interest in the public welfare.

a public-spirited citizen.

public-spirited British

adjective

having or showing active interest in public welfare or the good of the community

"Collins English Dictionary — Complete & Unabridged" 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

Other Word Forms

public-spiritedness

noun

Etymology

Origin of public-spirited

First recorded in 1640–50

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.

See Examples For:

public-spirited

Instead of manipulating government for their own narrow interests, the rich can add a distinctively independent-minded, public-spirited and efficacious set of voices to the national debate.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Feb. 17, 2026

Profiles of Beckstrom describe her as a caring, public-spirited young woman who wanted to make a difference and serve her country.

From Los Angeles Times ● Dec. 2, 2025

I was frankly surprised at how public-spirited they were, even privately with me.

From Slate ● Apr. 17, 2025

But public-spirited citizens, with the aid of a little technological innovation, rose to the challenge!

From Washington Post ● Sep. 8, 2022

Positive words and phrases included generously, public-spirited, wise, beneficial, commendable, carefully researched, useful, honorable, good.

From "The Landry News" by Andrew Clements

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