English Lexicon

Public Debt

/ˈpʌb.lɪk dɛt/
nounCEFR B2 (Upper)Top #1500 frequency
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Comprehensive Definitions & Senses

2 senses
As noun
  1. 1

    The total amount of money that a government owes to creditors.

    "The country's public debt has reached an all-time high due to increased spending."
  2. 2

    A financial obligation incurred by the government through borrowing.

    "Managing public debt is crucial for maintaining economic stability."

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Antonyms & Contrasting Words (1)

Linguistic Origin & Historical Etymology

The term 'public debt' originates from the Latin word 'publicus', meaning 'of the people', and 'debt' from the Old French 'dette', derived from Latin 'debita', meaning 'that which is owed'. The concept evolved in the context of state financing and fiscal policy, particularly during the rise of nation-states in the 17th and 18th centuries.

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