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public nuisance

British  

noun

  1. law an illegal act causing harm to members of a particular community rather than to any individual

  2. informal a person who is generally considered objectionable

"Collins English Dictionary — Complete & Unabridged" 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

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.

The Los Angeles Board of Building and Safety Commissioners declared eight properties in the Pacific Palisades as “public nuisances,” since their owners have still not cleared debris left over from the January wildfires.

From Los Angeles Times

Last month, the city ordered Waymo and the company that operates the charging stations, Voltera, to stop overnight operations at the sites, arguing that the light, noise and activity there constitute a public nuisance.

From Los Angeles Times

Firms including Kraft Heinz, Mondelez and Coca-Cola have intentionally marketed addictive, unhealthy products in violation of California laws on public nuisance and unfair competition, according to the complaint.

From BBC

Police arrested him the next day and charged him with public nuisance, to which Wen pleaded guilty.

From BBC

The man who charged at Ariana Grande at the ‘Wicked: For Good’ premiere in Singapore has been sentenced to jail after being convicted as a public nuisance.

From Los Angeles Times