Meaning of public

(adj) not private; open to or concerning the people as a whole; "the public good"; "public libraries"; "public funds"; "public parks"; "a public scandal"; "public gardens"; "performers and members of royal families are public figures"

affecting the people or community as a whole; "community leaders"; "community interests"; "the public welfare"

(noun) people in general considered as a whole; "he is a hero in the eyes of the public"

a body of people sharing some common interest; "the reading public"