public sector

American  

noun

1. the area of the nation's affairs under governmental rather than private control.

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public sector British  

noun

1. the part of an economy that consists of state-owned institutions, including nationalized industries and services provided by local authorities Compare private sector

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public sector Cultural  

1. That part of the economy controlled by the government. (Compare private sector.)

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Etymology

Origin of public sector

First recorded in 1950–55

Example Sentences

See Examples For:

public sector

Along with downtown residents, the project has triggered opposition from the powerful Service Employee International Union, Local 721, which represents more than 100,000 public sector employees in Southern California.

From Los Angeles Times ● Jul. 13, 2026

California’s largest public sector union and the court reporters it represents warn the decision could allow the state’s court systems to stop hiring stenographers.

From Los Angeles Times ● Jul. 6, 2026

This could create more resources for the MoD, but it simply shifts those costs to another part of the public sector.

From BBC ● Jul. 1, 2026

Annual average earnings growth for the quarter was 4.8% for the public sector and 3% for the private sector.

From BBC ● Jun. 17, 2026

Policy challenges include cutting the public sector deficit   to 4% of GDP by 2008, from about 6% in 2007.

From The 2008 CIA World Factbook by United States. Central Intelligence Agency