public health

American

noun

health services to improve and protect community health, especially sanitation, immunization, and preventive medicine.

Other Word Forms

public-health adjective

Etymology

Origin of public health

First recorded in 1610–20

Example Sentences

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

Others among the Founding Fathers also made significant contributions to public health.

From The Wall Street Journal • Apr. 14, 2026

The researchers say their findings underscore the need for a more coordinated approach that bridges conservation, public health and trade policy and treats wildlife trade as a central driver of global health risk.

From Los Angeles Times • Apr. 13, 2026

"I think it's important that we continue to have governmental agencies that are capable of evaluating the science and regulating these chemicals as necessary for public health and safety."

From Science Daily • Apr. 11, 2026

On its website, Healthdaq said it works with a range of government and public health bodies internationally, including ones in Canada, Australia and in the Middle East, as well as NHS organisations in England.

From BBC • Apr. 10, 2026

Before he could influence global policy, however, he knew he’d have to demonstrate his approach to effective public health care in the central plateau.

From "Mountains Beyond Mountains" by Tracy Kidder and Michael French

Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023