public sector

noun

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

public sector

noun

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

public sector

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

Word History and Origins

Origin of public sector¹

First recorded in 1950–55

Example Sentences

The regulator said the actions of the senior staff "fell short of the values and principles every public sector worker and councillor are expected to follow".

From BBC

"Our treatment system is delivered through the public sector, which means it's incredibly bureaucratic. So you can't just walk into a service and get seen that day, for instance, the way you can in England."

From BBC

Mr Fairhurst said public sector prisons have procedures and policies in place to protect staff and remove them from a dangerous situation.

From BBC

He's a public sector worker and studied law - but right now, that doesn't matter.

From BBC

It was conducted under the Digital Economy Act 2017, which introduced a framework for sharing personal data for specific purposes across parts of the public sector.

From BBC