public-spirited

[puhb-lik-spir-i-tid]

adjective

1. having or showing an unselfish interest in the public welfare.

   a public-spirited citizen.

public-spirited

adjective

1. having or showing active interest in public welfare or the good of the community

Other Word Forms

• public-spiritedness noun

Word History and Origins

Origin of public-spirited¹

First recorded in 1640–50

Example Sentences

Those results suggest that ordinary citizens, in small groups composed of representative samples, can make sound, fact-based decisions — at the same public-spirited level that James Madison sought to ensure in his design of the U.S.

From Salon

The production, scrupulously directed by David Cromer, is deeply moving in its public-spirited vision.

From Los Angeles Times

It’s the sine qua non of public-spirited medical options, and it’s our shame and misfortune that it has been redefined by the Paxtons of this world as a strictly personal choice.

From Los Angeles Times

His suggestion that an army of “public-spirited volunteers” could act as essentially Wikipedia editors for social media falsehoods is a good one.

From Washington Post

In his research, Answer Man came across two other only-in-D.C. games, though they were not as public-spirited as Metro Mania.

From Washington Post