of or pertaining to the people; belonging to the people; relating to, or affecting, a nation, state, or community; -- opposed to private; as, the public treasury.-open to the knowledge or view of all; general; common; notorious; as, public report; public scandal.-open to common or general use; as, a public road; a public house.-the general body of mankind, or of a nation, state, or community; the people, indefinitely; as, the american public; also, a particular body or aggregation of people; as, an author's public.-a public house; an inn.