public debt

noun

1. national debt.

public debt

noun

1. the total financial obligations incurred by all governmental bodies of a nation
2. another name for national debt

Word History and Origins

Origin of public debt¹

First recorded in 1715–25

Example Sentences

Large companies are able to eschew banks and traditional lending by borrowing money in public debt markets through bond issues, meaning they draw money from investors as loans that are paid back with interest over time.

From Vox

In addition, a balanced budget law enacted in 2009 has helped keep public debt low.

From Time

Go check out the Bureau of the Public Debt, which has a wealth of information.

From The Daily Beast

Over four years, policymakers in Europe and the United States have argued about public debt.

From The Daily Beast

So does unsustainable public debt, which can bring a nation to its knees.

From The Daily Beast

The CBO still projects the public debt to grow to an astonishing $20 trillion in 10 years.

From The Daily Beast

But would they still be begging if we tried to transform much of our $11 trillion public debt into 30-year notes?

From The Daily Beast

If an account of the interest due has to be prepared it is forwarded to the holder by the Treasury of the Public Debt.

From Project Gutenberg

The public debt was regarded as sacred, and even the pensions continued to the poor nobles.

From Project Gutenberg

One-fourth of the sums subscribed by individuals was to be paid in gold and silver, and three-fourths in the public debt.

From Project Gutenberg

No pecuniary consideration is more urgent than the regular redemption and discharge of the public debt.

From Project Gutenberg

The public debt had been swelled by the war expenditure to a large amount, and its interest was to be paid.

From Project Gutenberg