public health

noun

: the art and science dealing with the protection and improvement of community health by organized community effort and including preventive medicine and sanitary and social science

Examples of public health in a Sentence

a disease that poses a serious threat to public health She got her degree in public health. Public health officials warned of an influenza outbreak.
Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Obesity remains a complex, persistent public health challenge, but progress is within reach. — Will Boyd, Baltimore Sun, 17 Oct. 2026 The report labeled this increase a public health concern, because drug-resistant Shigella is resistant to five antibiotics used to treat the infection. — Charlotte Observer, 16 Oct. 2026 In recent years, the state has pursued some public health interventions but has leaned heavily on increasing criminal penalties for using and possessing fentanyl. — Joshua Barocas, The Conversation, 16 Oct. 2026 The measure’s opponents, a coalition of environmental, public health and labor organizations, say the measure tips the scales too far in favor of project approval and would strip protections and local control from California communities. — Andrew Graham, Sacbee.com, 16 Oct. 2026 See All Example Sentences for public health

Word History

First Known Use

1617, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of public health was in 1617

Rhymes for public health

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Browse Nearby Words

public funds
public health
public highway
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Cite this Entry

“Public health.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/public%20health. Accessed 20 Oct. 2026.

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Medical Definition

public health

noun
pub·​lic health ˌpəb-lik- How to pronounce public health (audio)
: the art and science dealing with the protection and improvement of community health by organized community effort and including preventive medicine and sanitary and social science

More from Merriam-Webster on public health

Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about public health

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