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

The party also wants pay rises in the public sector to at a minimum match inflation - the rate prices are rising - with higher rises for the lowest paid.

From BBC • May 1, 2026

“But if you’re gonna succeed in getting things done in the public sector, you gotta be better than that! That’s the challenge!”

From Los Angeles Times • Apr. 29, 2026

The review concludes that the Northern Ireland public sector employs relatively many more people than in England.

From BBC • Apr. 21, 2026

People who have worked with the executive say these failures frustrated him when he was on Wall Street and motivated his decision to try to fix the department’s failings through the public sector.

From The Wall Street Journal • Apr. 16, 2026

As a result, the Philippines is burdened   with a public sector debt equal to more than 100% of GDP.

From The 2003 CIA World Factbook by United States. Central Intelligence Agency