Legal Definitions - public

The term public generally refers to something that pertains to the collective body of people, a community, or a government, as opposed to something private or individual. It can describe entities, services, or information that are owned, operated, or made available by the government for the benefit of all citizens, or that are openly accessible to everyone. In a corporate sense, it can also refer to a company whose ownership shares are available for purchase by the general investment community.

• Example 1: Public Library

  A city's public library is funded by local taxes and offers free access to books, computers, and educational programs for all residents.

  Explanation: This illustrates "public" as an institution supported by the government (through taxes) and made openly available to the entire community, embodying the idea of collective ownership and universal access.

• Example 2: Public Health Campaign

  A state government launches a public health campaign to raise awareness about the importance of childhood vaccinations, distributing information through various media channels to reach all families.

  Explanation: Here, "public" refers to an effort undertaken by a governmental body for the collective well-being and benefit of the entire population, rather than a specific individual or private group.

• Example 3: Publicly Traded Company

  When a private technology startup decides to become a publicly traded company, it offers shares of its ownership to investors on a stock exchange, allowing anyone to buy and sell its stock.

  Explanation: In this context, "public" signifies that the company's ownership is no longer restricted to a few private individuals but is instead open and available to the general investing public.