Making something public; preparing and issuing a book, article, or other document for sale to the public.V. publish. public defender.N. An attorney employed by the government to represent criminal defendants who cannot afford to pay for a lawyer. public domain. N. The body of knowledge and creative works, including works of film, music, literature, and inventions, whose copyrights are not owned by anyone and are thus considered available for free use by anyone. public figure. N. A person who ...