publicpublic1adjectiveconnected with everybody; for everybody: a public telephone Smoking is not allowed in public places.▶ publiclyadverbto everybody; not secretly: She spoke publicly about her friendship with the Prince.publicpublicpublics2nounthe public (no plural)people in general; everybody: The palace is open to the public between 10 a.m. and 4 p.m.in publicwhen other people are there: I don't want to talk about it in public.