public interest
Americannoun
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the welfare or well-being of the general public; commonwealth.
health programs that directly affect the public interest.
-
appeal or relevance to the general populace.
a news story of public interest.
Other Word Forms
Etymology
Origin of public interest
First recorded in 1670–80
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.
He added that once Arday had resigned, "What's the public interest in continuing to berate him?"
From Barron's ● Aug. 19, 2026
FCC chairman Brendan Carr has said that the renewal requests were focused on "public interest", not retaliation.
From BBC ● Aug. 18, 2026
The measure supported by FCC Chairman Brendan Carr will allow the agency to approve deals that put station ownership groups over the cap if the agency determines that they are promoting the public interest.
From Los Angeles Times ● Aug. 6, 2026
Environment Minister Dabrusin in her decision identified possible adverse effects from the project on fish, water quality, migratory birds and indigenous communities, but concluded it was in the public interest for Crawford to be built.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Jul. 31, 2026
The crime wave of the 1920s and 1930s, the great gangster era, increased public interest in prisons and punishment, and the interest of Hollywood in particular.
From "Newjack: Guarding Sing Sing" by Ted Conover
Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
