public sector

American

noun

the area of the nation's affairs under governmental rather than private control.

public sector British

noun

the part of an economy that consists of state-owned institutions, including nationalized industries and services provided by local authorities Compare private sector

"Collins English Dictionary — Complete & Unabridged" 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

public sector Cultural

That part of the economy controlled by the government. (Compare private sector.)

Etymology

Origin of public sector

First recorded in 1950–55

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.

At the same time, insufficient funding, disproportionate outlays for salaries and pensions, and a domestic defense industry dominated by a sclerotic public sector have long been a drag on India’s military modernization.

From The Wall Street Journal

The party has also suggested public sector workers - like nurses, doctors and teachers - should have part of their debt written off after a decade of service.

From BBC

They are calling for some public sector workers, including nurses, police officers and teachers, to have a proportion of their debt written off after 10 years of public service.

From BBC

In January there were walkouts in other parts of the public sector, including universities and schools, in protest at issues ranging from staff shortages to stagnating wages.

From Barron's

Joshi explains to parents that excelling at football could ultimately help their girls get jobs, as Indian states set aside some public sector roles for sportsmen and women.

From BBC

Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023