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

Human-resources firm ADP said this week that it saw solid March job gains in the private sector.

From The Wall Street Journal • Apr. 3, 2026

Trump praised her in a post on Truth Social and said she would be "transitioning" to a role in the private sector.

From BBC • Apr. 2, 2026

Stronger private sector hiring momentum continued last month, led by small business gains, according to new employment data released Wednesday.

From Barron's • Apr. 1, 2026

Job growth in the private sector rose at a solid pace in March for the second straight month, according to payroll company ADP.

From MarketWatch • Apr. 1, 2026

He’d carried the load admirably, inspiring people like Barack and Valerie to move out of the private sector and into community work and public service.

From "Becoming" by Michelle Obama