private school

American  

noun

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.

---

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

---

Etymology

Origin of private school

First recorded in 1820–30

Example Sentences

Some of those luxuries then become fixed expenses that are hard to unwind — a bigger house, a more expensive car, private school.

From MarketWatch • Mar. 5, 2026

He also graduated from Stanford and now is president of the private school in Salinas, Calif., that he and his son attended.

From Los Angeles Times • Mar. 4, 2026

Chloe Peichl, who is 18, is a senior at a small private school in Texas.

From Slate • Feb. 12, 2026

A private school in South Lanarkshire has announced it will close at the end of the school term, days after the charity regulator raised concerns over "misconduct" in how it has been run.

From BBC • Feb. 4, 2026

She knew he’d gone to that fancy private school and that he lived in Brooklyn, because he never stopped complaining about it.

From "Night Owls" by A.R. Vishny

Related Words

• parochial school
• preparatory school