public

/ˈpʌb.lɪk/

Definition

the public B1 all ordinary people: The public has a right to know about this. The palace and its grounds are open to the public (= people can visit) during the summer months. When will the product be available to the general public (= all ordinary people)? Members of the public were asked about their shopping habits.Ordinary people › the group of people who are involved with you or your organization, especially in a business relationship: Newspapers publish these outrageous stories because they know what their public wants.Groups of people in public B2 in a place where people can see you: I'd never behave like that in public. → Compare in privateApparent and obviousVisible

(Definition of public noun from the Cambridge Advanced Learner's Dictionary & Thesaurus © Cambridge University Press)