public sector

American  

noun

1. the area of the nation's affairs under governmental rather than private control.

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public sector British  

noun

1. the part of an economy that consists of state-owned institutions, including nationalized industries and services provided by local authorities Compare private sector

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public sector Cultural  

1. That part of the economy controlled by the government. (Compare private sector.)

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Etymology

Origin of public sector

First recorded in 1950–55

Example Sentences

“Absolutely not. And what you will see, whether it’s in a private sector or public sector, no one ever reaches all of the goals that are designed.”

From Los Angeles Times

"Workers who are in the public sector, who are working in emergency services, do not deserve this and we need to offer them protection in law."

From BBC

The other big pressure comes from public sector pay.

From BBC

The risk that inflation represents, however, is that advanced economies are overloaded with debt, in both the private and public sectors.

From MarketWatch

The committee highlights that size of the island's public sector could threaten the private sector, arguing the recruitment control framework should be updated to reflect such a risk.

From BBC