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

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Example Sentences

See Examples For:

public debt

Investors are leaning hard on this country to get its spiralling public debt under control.

From BBC ● Oct. 19, 2026

Faced with rising borrowing costs, a deficit of 5.4% of GDP and a public debt at its highest level since the 1940s, Lecornu is financially as well as politically hamstrung.

From BBC ● Oct. 8, 2026

Brazil is battling soaring public debt exacerbated by high interest rates, and the election result saw the Sao Paulo stock exchange rally to record highs.

From Barron's ● Oct. 7, 2026

Flavio Bolsonaro has promised fiscal austerity in the face of rising public debt, a smaller state, lower taxes and a tougher crackdown on crime.

From Barron's ● Oct. 5, 2026

The public debt had been swelled by the war expenditure to a large amount, and its interest was to be paid.

From The Works of Daniel Webster, Volume 1 by Daniel Webster

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