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

See Examples For:

public debt

High public debt in combination with these changes in market structure makes a bond market malfunction more likely, BIS research has found.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Jul. 17, 2026

Chief among them is the size of the public debt relative to GDP, which he finds is the main driver of inflation and economic growth.

From Barron's ● Jun. 26, 2026

High levels of public debt also have been part of the problem, including in the U.S., where the federal debt is back above 100% of gross domestic product, or larger than the economy.

From MarketWatch ● May 18, 2026

The amount of interest government pays on existing public debt is linked to inflation and interest rates on bonds.

From BBC ● May 12, 2026

The act of 1862 declares that the notes issued shall be a legal tender in payment of all debts, public and private, with the exception of duties on imports and interest on the public debt.

From Monopolies and the People by Cloud, D. C.