public debt

American  

noun

1. national debt.

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public debt British  

noun

1. the total financial obligations incurred by all governmental bodies of a nation

2. another name for national debt

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Etymology

Origin of public debt

First recorded in 1715–25

Example Sentences

See Examples For:

public debt

As a result, almost 33% of U.S. public debt will mature in a year or less, and another 35% within five years, according to Treasury data.

From MarketWatch ● Sep. 16, 2026

Overall public debt is the equivalent of around 200% of GDP, the highest among major economies after decades of deficit spending to combat deflation.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Sep. 2, 2026

“Suppose the sovereign remains solvent and its debt remains safe. Can a larger stock of safe public debt nevertheless become a drag on aggregate demand?”

From MarketWatch ● Aug. 31, 2026

Treasurys toward alternative assets amid uncertainty clouding the fixed income market and growing concerns about the sustainability of U.S. public debt, XS.com senior market analyst Samer Hasn says in a note.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Aug. 21, 2026

It has paid $880,000,000 of the public debt, and, by refunding the balance at lower rates, has reduced the annual interest charge from nearly $150,000,000 to less than $89,000,000.

From A History of the Republican Party by George Washington Platt