public interest

noun

1. the welfare or well-being of the general public; commonwealth:

   health programs that directly affect the public interest.

2. appeal or relevance to the general populace:

   a news story of public interest.

Other Words From

• public-interest adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of public interest¹

First recorded in 1670–80

Example Sentences

If they were to recognize the size of the struggling low wage cohort they would have to question the way they make their living serving the banks and multinationals against the public interest.

From Salon

Hall had told the court his actions, which included filming Eve outside her home, were in the public interest as a journalist and claimed "millions of people" had "bought a lie" about the attack.

From BBC

In Singapore, Red Bull driver Verstappen was ordered by FIA stewards to "accomplish some work of public interest" after using a swear word to describe his car in a news conference.

From BBC

Democrats insist they are fighting for democracy and the public interest, but they have a hard time defining whom and what they are fighting against.

From Slate

And finally, what is in the public interest?

From Slate

Related Words

• glare
• prominence
• public eye
• spotlight