public interest

American  

noun

1. the welfare or well-being of the general public; commonwealth.

   health programs that directly affect the public interest.

2. appeal or relevance to the general populace.

   a news story of public interest.

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Other Word Forms

• public-interest adjective

Etymology

Origin of public interest

First recorded in 1670–80

Example Sentences

"Our prosecutors have worked to establish that there is sufficient evidence to bring this case to court and that it is in the public interest to do so."

From BBC

"Given the reassurances we've heard that active agents won't be put in harm's way and future recruitment won't be compromised, formal identification in this specific instance is appropriate, proportionate and in the public interest," Antoniazzi said.

From BBC

Despite wide public interest, the program quietly and abruptly ended last year — a victim, in some ways, of its own success.

From Los Angeles Times

"This decision was reached after careful consideration of all aspects of the matter relevant to the prospects of conviction and the public interest in a retrial," the Victoria Office of Public Prosecutions said in a statement.

From Barron's

Thompson said the Crown Prosecution Service had decided, once Skebas was declared fit, that it was in the public interest to proceed to trial.

From BBC

Related Words

• glare
• prominence
• public eye
• spotlight