public school

American  

noun

1. (in the U.S.) a school that is maintained at public expense for the education of the children of a community or district and that constitutes a part of a system of free public education commonly including primary and secondary schools.

2. (in England) any of a number of endowed secondary boarding schools that prepare students chiefly for the universities or for public service.

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public school British  

noun

1. (in England and Wales) a private independent fee-paying secondary school

2. (in the US) any school that is part of a free local educational system

3. in certin Canadian provinces, a public elementray school as distinguished from a separate school

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Other Word Forms

Derived Forms

• public-school
  adjective

Etymology

Origin of public school

First recorded in 1570–80

Example Sentences

"Everyone felt dizzy, like we were being vigorously rocked on a hammock for more than two minutes. And the shaking was getting stronger by the second," said public school teacher Cesar Sundo in Lebak town.

From BBC • Jun. 9, 2026

Naveed Hasan is a computer programmer, a parent and a member of Panel for Education Policy, an oversight board for New Yorks' public school system.

From Barron's • Jun. 5, 2026

The group dropped a lawsuit against the city that it had filed after the statue was pulled from a public school in 2021 and put in storage.

From The Wall Street Journal • Jun. 4, 2026

Under Tennessee law, “Roots” and other banned books can still be taught, but they are not part of the circulating collection at public school libraries.

From Salon • May 31, 2026

There will be no money to send you off to public school otherwise, Charles, you do see that, don't you?

From "I'm the King of the Castle" by Susan Hill