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

Among the government's outlays, spending by the Treasury jumped by $48 billion, driven by interest on the public debt and largely due to the higher amount of outstanding debt overall.

From Barron's

Total public debt stands at a whopping 200% of gross domestic product.

From The Wall Street Journal

Still, with public debt around 20% of GDP, the Russian government has the fiscal space it needs.

From The Wall Street Journal

There are worries that the stimulus plans will weaken Japan’s ability to sustain its already outsized public debt, the economist and currency strategist adds.

From The Wall Street Journal

It would be a gross understatement to say that Japan has a major public debt problem.

From Barron's