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

While emphasising the importance of engaging private sector shareholders, the ministers called for strengthening cooperation to promote fair competition and ensure product safety.

From Barron's • May 6, 2026

The latest Commerce Department spending and inflation data is from March, but more recent private sector indicators look healthy too.

From The Wall Street Journal • May 4, 2026

Expanding free childcare relies on the private sector expanding as well to provide places for children as fast as demand rises.

From BBC • May 3, 2026

The administration is balancing innovation and security while cooperating with the private sector to make sure AI models are rolled out safely, a White House official said.

From The Wall Street Journal • Apr. 30, 2026

Thinking he could fare better in the private sector, he eventually quit the force to go into business with friends.

From "First They Killed My Father: A Daughter of Cambodia Remembers" by Loung Ung