in public

WordReference Random House Learner's Dictionary of American English © 2025

pub•lic /ˈpʌblɪk/   adj. 

1. of, relating to, or affecting a population or a community as a whole:
   a public nuisance; the public welfare.
2. done for, made for, acting for, or being in the service of the community as a whole:
   [before a noun] public officials.
3. open to all persons;
   open to the view of all persons:
   a public meeting.
4. generally known to most people of a community:
   The information became public.
5. familiar to the public;
   prominent:
   [before a noun] movie stars and other public figures.

n. [uncountable* the/one's + ~]

6. the people who make up a community, state, or nation.
7. a particular group of people with a common interest, aim, etc.:
   the book-buying public.

Idioms

8. Idioms go public:
   • to issue stock for sale to the general public.
   • to present previously hidden or unknown information to the public:
     threatened to go public with the story.
9. Idioms in public, in a situation open to public notice, view, or access;
   publicly.
10. Idioms make public, to cause to become known generally, as through the news media: [make + object + ~]
    He made the allegations public.
    [make + ~ + object]
    She made public her plans for reform.

pub•lic•ly, adv. 

WordReference Random House Unabridged Dictionary of American English © 2025

pub•lic  (pub′lik), adj. 

1. of, pertaining to, or affecting a population or a community as a whole:
   public funds; a public nuisance.
2. done, made, acting, etc., for the community as a whole:
   public prosecution.
3. open to all persons:
   a public meeting.
4. Government of, pertaining to, or being in the service of a community or nation, esp. as a government officer:
   a public official.
5. maintained at the public expense and under public control:
   a public library; a public road.
6. generally known:
   The fact became public.
7. familiar to the public;
   prominent:
   public figures.
8. open to the view of all;
   existing or conducted in public:
   a public dispute.
9. pertaining or devoted to the welfare or well-being of the community:
   public spirit.
10. of or pertaining to all humankind;
    universal.
11. Idioms go public:
    • to issue stock for sale to the general public.
    • to present private or previously concealed information, news, etc., to the public;
      make matters open to public view:
      The Senator threatened to go public with his Congressional-reform plan.
12. Idioms make public, to cause to become known generally, as through the news media:
    Her resignation was made public this morning.

n. 

13. the people constituting a community, state, or nation.
14. a particular group of people with a common interest, aim, etc.:
    the book-buying public.
15. British Terms a tavern;
    public house.
16. in public, not in private;
    in a situation open to public view or access;
    publicly:
    It was the first time that she had sung in public.

• Latin, as above
• Middle French
• Latin pūblicus (earlier pōblicus, pōplicus, akin to populus people); replacing late Middle English publique
• 1400–50