private school

American  

noun

private schools plural

1. a school founded, conducted, and maintained by a private group rather than by the government, usually charging tuition and often following a particular philosophy, viewpoint, etc.

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private school British  

noun

1. a school under the financial and managerial control of a private body or charitable trust, accepting mostly fee-paying pupils

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Other Word Forms

Noun Inflected Forms

• private schools
  plural

Etymology

Origin of private school

First recorded in 1820–30

Example Sentences

The costs for Prince George will include the VAT added by the government to private school fees.

From BBC • Jun. 16, 2026

His parents paid for the local private school, his campaign says; at the pricier Hotchkiss, he had financial aid.

From The Wall Street Journal • Jun. 6, 2026

For the family earning $400,000 with two kids in private school and a mortgage, it might be the largest financial goal they have.

From MarketWatch • May 15, 2026

The highly self-confident Navarro has always spoken her mind, encouraged by her father and the Sacred Heart nuns who operated her private school in Miami where she still resides.

From Los Angeles Times • May 10, 2026

It was my second day at private school, and I didn’t know the other students’ names yet, so I looked around to see who one of my teachers had called on.

From "Courage to Soar" by Simone Biles

Related Words

• parochial school
• preparatory school