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

The Crown Office are currently considering whether there is enough evidence to prosecute Mr Murrell, and whether a prosecution would be in the public interest.

From BBC

“Putting somebody in charge who is unable to discern the difference between good and bad science is really dangerous for the American people,” said Dr. Peter Lurie, president and executive director of the Center for Science in the Public Interest.

From Los Angeles Times

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

Related Words

• glare
• prominence
• public eye
• spotlight