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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

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

From Slate ● Apr. 17, 2025

Leo Carrillo and Dockweiler beaches were named in the spirit and practice of christening places after public-spirited leaders.

From Los Angeles Times ● May 17, 2022

Supt Ben Mant, from Wiltshire Police's public protection unit, said he applauded Mr Caswell's "public-spirited actions" and urged anyone who was a victim of domestic abuse to contact the force.

From BBC ● Apr. 25, 2022

And if marriage was not achieved, there were alternative roles: teacher, librarian, or . . . well, something intelligent and public-spirited.

From "Song of Solomon" by Toni Morrison

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