public-spirited

American

[puhb-lik-spir-i-tid] / ˈpʌb lɪkˈspɪr ɪ tɪd /

adjective

having or showing an unselfish interest in the public welfare.

a public-spirited citizen.

public-spirited British

adjective

having or showing active interest in public welfare or the good of the community

"Collins English Dictionary — Complete & Unabridged" 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

Other Word Forms

public-spiritedness noun

Etymology

Origin of public-spirited

First recorded in 1640–50

Example Sentences

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

Instead of manipulating government for their own narrow interests, the rich can add a distinctively independent-minded, public-spirited and efficacious set of voices to the national debate.

From The Wall Street Journal • Feb. 17, 2026

I was frankly surprised at how public-spirited they were, even privately with me.

From Slate • Apr. 17, 2025

Leo Carrillo and Dockweiler beaches were named in the spirit and practice of christening places after public-spirited leaders.

From Los Angeles Times • May 17, 2022

It is quite possible that this support is simply a public relations effort, and that the oil companies think they can get credit for supporting a public-spirited policy that won’t be implemented anyhow.

From Washington Post • Nov. 8, 2021

Positive words and phrases included generously, public-spirited, wise, beneficial, commendable, carefully researched, useful, honorable, good.

From "The Landry News" by Andrew Clements

Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023