in public

phrase

: in a place where one can be seen by many people : in a public place
The former actress is now rarely seen in public.
They were seen kissing in public.

Examples of in public in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Texas required the Ten Commandments to be displayed in public schools last year. — Lauren Costantino, Miami Herald, 1 July 2026 Another prohibits giving lectures in public parks without city permission. — Alex Wigglesworth, Los Angeles Times, 2 July 2026 While women leaders in public life across racial backgrounds routinely face sexism, Black women often encounter a distinct set of challenges shaped by the intersection of race and gender. — Jallicia Jolly, Forbes.com, 1 July 2026 The findings suggest that requiring face mask use in public could help in mitigating the spread of COVID-19. — Ian Miller Outkick, FOXNews.com, 1 July 2026 See All Example Sentences for in public

Rhymes for in public

See All Rhymes for in public

Browse Nearby Words

in prospect
in public
in pursuance of
See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“In public.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/in%20public. Accessed 8 Jul. 2026.

Copy Citation
Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!

More from Merriam-Webster

Word of the Day

Listen to the pronunciation of gambol

See Definitions and Examples »

Popular in Grammar & Usage

See More

Is that lie 'bald-faced' or 'bold-faced'?

'A' or 'an'? What about before 'h'? An Indefinite Article Guide

Why is '-ed' sometimes pronounced at the end of a word?

Commonly Misspelled Words

How to Use Em Dashes (—), En Dashes (–) , and Hyphens (-)
See More

Popular in Wordplay

See More

14 Phobias You Probably Haven't Heard Of

The Longest Long Words List

One-Word Oxymorons: Bittersweet, Spendthrift, and More

Ten Words Ending with a Silent ‘T’

12 Lovely and Unusual Words for the Natural World
See More

Popular

See More

Is that lie 'bald-faced' or 'bold-faced'?

14 Phobias You Probably Haven't Heard Of

The Longest Long Words List
See More

Games & Quizzes

See All
Play Quordle: Guess all four words in a limited number of tries. Each of your guesses must be a real 5-letter word.
Quordle Can you solve 4 words at once?
Play Blossom: Solve today's spelling word game by finding as many words as you can using just 7 letters. Longer words score more points.
Blossom Pick the best words!
Play Missing Letter: a crossword with a twist. Each of the 25 puzzle words start with a different letter of the alphabet. Which letter is missing?
The Missing Letter A daily crossword with a twist
hangman letters and game
Hangman Lightning Round Figure out which word fits in the blanks.
See All