public nuisance: meaning, definition, pronunciation and examples
C1Formal / Legal / Journalistic
Quick answer
What does “public nuisance” mean?
An act, thing, or person causing harm, offence, danger or annoyance to the general public or a section of it.
Audio
Pronunciation
Definition
Meaning and Definition
An act, thing, or person causing harm, offence, danger or annoyance to the general public or a section of it.
1. A legal offence or tort involving interference with the rights of the general public. 2. A persistently annoying person or thing that disrupts public order or comfort.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
Concept and term are identical in both legal systems and general use.
Connotations
Slightly more common in British media for describing anti-social behaviour; in US, often appears in legal/planning contexts.
Frequency
Comparable frequency in formal contexts; rare in casual conversation in both varieties.
Grammar
How to Use “public nuisance” in a Sentence
[NP] be/become a public nuisance[NP] constitute a public nuisance[NP] cause a public nuisance[NP] be declared a public nuisanceVocabulary
Collocations
Examples
Examples of “public nuisance” in a Sentence
noun
British English
- The nightly noise from the club was declared a public nuisance by the council.
- Parking on the pavement is becoming a public nuisance in our borough.
American English
- The factory's emissions constituted a public nuisance under state law.
- His constant public protests made him a public nuisance in the eyes of city officials.
Usage
Meaning in Context
Business
Rare; may appear in planning objections or corporate social responsibility reports regarding company operations affecting communities.
Academic
Common in law, criminology, urban studies and sociology papers discussing regulation of anti-social behaviour.
Everyday
Used hyperbolically to complain about anything from noisy neighbours to disruptive public works.
Technical
Core term in tort law and environmental law with specific tests for what constitutes one.
Vocabulary
Synonyms of “public nuisance”
Strong
Neutral
Weak
Vocabulary
Antonyms of “public nuisance”
Watch out
Common Mistakes When Using “public nuisance”
- Using 'public' without 'nuisance' when the legal term is meant (e.g., 'He's a nuisance' vs. 'He's a public nuisance'). Confusing with 'private nuisance' (which affects an individual).
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
A 'nuisance' is a general annoyance, often private. A 'public nuisance' specifically affects the community or a significant part of it and is often a legal offence.
Yes, in common language, a persistently disruptive or annoying individual can be called a public nuisance. Legally, it is usually the person's actions or property that constitute the nuisance.
It can be both. It is a crime in many jurisdictions (common law offence) and also a tort (civil wrong) for which affected individuals or the state can seek a remedy.
Examples include excessive noise from a business, blocking a public right of way, polluting a water source, operating a brothel, or persistent loud parties disturbing a neighbourhood.
An act, thing, or person causing harm, offence, danger or annoyance to the general public or a section of it.
Public nuisance is usually formal / legal / journalistic in register.
Public nuisance: in British English it is pronounced /ˌpʌblɪk ˈnjuːsns/, and in American English it is pronounced /ˌpʌblɪk ˈnuːsns/. Tap the audio buttons above to hear it.
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “He's/It's a public nuisance and a private misery.”
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Think: PUBLIC = everyone, NUISANCE = annoyance → an annoyance to everyone.
Conceptual Metaphor
SOCIAL ORDER IS CLEANLINESS / PUBLIC NUISANCE IS POLLUTION (e.g., 'clean up the streets', 'blight on the community').
Practice
Quiz
In legal terms, which of the following best describes a 'public nuisance'?