[ C usually plural ] a service provided by the government, such as hospitals, schools, or the police:
The prime minister wants to stop Italy's huge public debt growing, and to make its public services more efficient.
[ U ] the government and the work that its departments do:
The Senator has worked in public service all his life.
[ before noun ] Inner-city teaching has become a popular public-service job for new graduates.
[ C ] something that is done or provided for the public because it is needed, and not in order to make a profit:
[ before noun ] The star has recorded public-service announcements for local TV on subjects including HIV and teen pregnancy.