public-spirited

American  

[puhb-lik-spir-i-tid] / ˈpʌb lɪkˈspɪr ɪ tɪd /

adjective

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

   a public-spirited citizen.

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public-spirited British  

adjective

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

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Other Word Forms

• public-spiritedness
  noun

Etymology

Origin of public-spirited

First recorded in 1640–50

Example Sentences

Instead of manipulating government for their own narrow interests, the rich can add a distinctively independent-minded, public-spirited and efficacious set of voices to the national debate.

From The Wall Street Journal • Feb. 17, 2026

Uber loves to define itself as a most public-spirited company.

From Los Angeles Times • Jan. 16, 2026

I was frankly surprised at how public-spirited they were, even privately with me.

From Slate • Apr. 17, 2025

It is quite possible that this support is simply a public relations effort, and that the oil companies think they can get credit for supporting a public-spirited policy that won’t be implemented anyhow.

From Washington Post • Nov. 8, 2021

And if marriage was not achieved, there were alternative roles: teacher, librarian, or . . . well, something intelligent and public-spirited.

From "Song of Solomon" by Toni Morrison