{
    "term": "public",
    "partOfSpeech": "adjective",
    "ox3000": true,
    "cefr": "a2",
    "definitions": [
        {
            "senseNumber": 1,
            "definition": "connected with ordinary people in society in general",
            "cefr": "a2",
            "ox3000": true,
            "examples": [
                {
                    "text": "The campaign is designed to increase public awareness of the issues."
                },
                {
                    "text": "Levels of waste from the factory may be a danger to **public health**."
                },
                {
                    "text": "**Public safety** must come first."
                },
                {
                    "text": "Why would the closure of hospitals be **in the public interest** *(= useful to ordinary people)*?"
                },
                {
                    "text": "The government had to bow to public pressure."
                }
            ],
            "topics": ["People in society"]
        },
        {
            "senseNumber": 2,
            "definition": "provided, especially by the government, for the use of people in general",
            "cefr": "a2",
            "ox3000": true,
            "examples": [
                {
                    "text": "a public education system"
                },
                {
                    "text": "a public library"
                }
            ]
        },
        {
            "senseNumber": 3,
            "definition": "connected with the government and the services it provides",
            "labels": "(British English)",
            "cefr": "b1",
            "ox3000": true,
            "examples": [
                {
                    "text": "public money/spending/funding"
                },
                {
                    "text": "He spent much of his career in **public office** *(= working in the government)*."
                },
                {
                    "text": "the **public purse** *(= the money that the government can spend)*"
                },
                {
                    "text": "The rail industry is no longer in public ownership *(= controlled by the government)*."
                }
            ]
        },
        {
            "senseNumber": 4,
            "definition": "known to people in general",
            "cefr": "b1",
            "ox3000": true,
            "examples": [
                {
                    "text": "Details of the government report have not yet been made public."
                },
                {
                    "text": "a **public figure** *(= a person who is well known because they are often on the television, radio, etc.)*"
                },
                {
                    "text": "She entered **public life** *(= started a job in which she became known to the public)* at the age of 25."
                },
                {
                    "text": "This latest scandal will not have done their public image *(= the opinion that people have of them)* any good."
                }
            ]
        },
        {
            "senseNumber": 5,
            "definition": "open to people in general; intended to be seen or heard by people in general",
            "cefr": "b1",
            "ox3000": true,
            "examples": [
                {
                    "text": "Face masks were to be worn in **public places**."
                },
                {
                    "text": "A **public meeting** to discuss the issue will be held tomorrow night."
                },
                {
                    "text": "The company was forced to issue a public apology."
                },
                {
                    "text": "The painting will be put on public display next week."
                },
                {
                    "text": "This may be the band's last public appearance together."
                },
                {
                    "text": "The reception and other public areas have been refurbished."
                }
            ]
        },
        {
            "senseNumber": 6,
            "definition": "where there are a lot of people who can see and hear you",
            "cefr": "b1",
            "ox3000": true,
            "examples": [
                {
                    "text": "Let's go somewhere a little less public."
                }
            ]
        },
        {
            "senseNumber": null,
            "definition": "to be something that everyone knows, especially in a particular community or group",
            "examples": [
                {
                    "text": "Their relationship is common knowledge."
                }
            ]
        },
        {
            "senseNumber": 1,
            "definition": "to tell people about something that is a secret",
            "examples": [
                {
                    "text": "A court order failed to stop her going public with the story."
                }
            ]
        },
        {
            "senseNumber": 2,
            "definition": "to start selling shares on the stock exchange",
            "examples": []
        },
        {
            "senseNumber": null,
            "definition": "well known to many people through television, newspapers, the internet, etc.",
            "examples": [
                {
                    "text": "She doesn't want her children growing up in the public eye."
                }
            ]
        }
    ],
    "pronunciations": {
        "uk": [
            {
                "pronunciation": "/ˈpʌblɪk/",
                "audio": "pu/public/public__gb_1.mp3"
            }
        ],
        "us": [
            {
                "pronunciation": "/ˈpʌblɪk/",
                "audio": "pu/public/public__us_1.mp3"
            }
        ]
    },
    "wordOrigin": "late Middle English: from Old French, from Latin publicus, blend of poplicus ‘of the people’ (from populus ‘people’) and pubes ‘adult’."
}