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

Businesses, public sector organisations and charities can continue to use a hosepipe where it is directly needed for their commercial activities, this includes professional cleaners and car washing services.

From BBC ● Jul. 25, 2026

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

"We will be working collaboratively with public sector bodies to better understand the contribution they can make to increasing canopy cover in Wales," they added.

From BBC ● Jun. 26, 2026

Progress on other economic reforms has been halting   because of opposition from the bureaucracy, public sector unions,   and other vested interest groups.

From The 2001 CIA World Factbook by United States. Central Intelligence Agency