public interest
Americannoun
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the welfare or well-being of the general public; commonwealth.
health programs that directly affect the public interest.
-
appeal or relevance to the general populace.
a news story of public interest.
Other Word Forms
Etymology
Origin of public interest
First recorded in 1670–80
Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
The judge, Mr Justice Nicklin, said there was "significant public interest" in the proceedings and that "this is a difficult and important case".
From BBC ● Oct. 27, 2026
Consequently, and in the interests of wider public interest and safety, I've come to the conclusion that the circumstances under which that decision was made have now changed considerably.
From BBC ● Oct. 9, 2026
It was in response to what they called a growing public interest in using small vehicles to make short trips.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Oct. 2, 2026
“There is no legal basis for the Court to conduct an independent public interest review,” the companies wrote.
From Los Angeles Times ● Sep. 28, 2026
Then he concluded, “But I flatter myself that some respect will be paid to the public interest, and to the plighted faith of the government.”
From "Founding Brothers: The Revolutionary Generation" by Joseph J. Ellis
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