PUBLIC

Public is a term used to describe things that relate to or are accessible to the people as a whole or to the community. The word derives from the Latin publicus, meaning belonging to the people. In everyday usage, public can function as an adjective, a noun, or a concept in politics and law.

As an adjective, public describes institutions, spaces, or concerns that are open to broad access or held in common, such as public parks, public schools, or public health. As a noun, the public refers to the general population, and discussions of public opinion or public interest reflect collective viewpoints and needs.

In governance and economics, the public sphere contrasts with the private sphere. The public sector comprises government-owned or funded organizations that deliver services for residents. Public goods are non-excludable and non-rivalrous, often funded through taxation, and include defense, policing, and basic infrastructure. Public policy and public administration aim to organize resources and regulate activities in the community’s interest.

Public law governs relations between citizens and the state, and among state institutions, while private law covers relations among private persons. The public domain refers to works and data not protected by exclusive intellectual property rights or for which those rights have expired, making them freely usable. Publicity involves making information or events known to the general audience.

Public spaces, transparency, and accessibility are central considerations in urban design and governance. In information security, public key cryptography uses a public key that can be shared openly, paired with a private key used for authentication or decryption.