public land

noun

: land owned by a government
specifically : that part of the U.S. public domain subject to sale or disposal under the homestead laws

Examples of public land in a Sentence

the management of public lands The government will auction off 20 parcels of public land.
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.
After failing to secure a site in San Francisco, Lucas faced public opposition and a lawsuit in Chicago, with nonprofit Friends of the Parks arguing that his lakefront proposal would essentially privatize public land. — Jacqui Palumbo, CNN Money, 5 Sep. 2026 The plan said public land boundaries should be better defined and the area needed more parking and signage for public safety. — Lily Knoepp, Charlotte Observer, 3 Sep. 2026 If built, Townsite would be the first data center built on public land managed by BLM on behalf of all Americans. — Kris Millgate, Outdoor Life, 3 Sep. 2026 In its comprehensive plan, the city of Eagle identifies the BLM land Bobo is cleaning up as a major component of the Foothills, calling for public lands to be incorporated into a larger open-space and wildlife-corridor network. — Idaho Statesman, 2 Sep. 2026 See All Example Sentences for public land

Word History

First Known Use

1789, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of public land was in 1789

Rhymes for public land

See All Rhymes for public land

Browse Nearby Words

public knowledge
public land
public law
See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Public land.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/public%20land. Accessed 7 Sep. 2026.

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Legal Definition

public land

noun
: land owned by a government
Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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