A private school is a school which is not supported financially by the government and which parents have to pay for their children to go to. He attended Eton, the most exclusive private school in Britain. state school. A secondary or elementary school run and supported by private individuals or a corporation rather than by a government or public agency. a school that is not supported by government money, where education must be paid for by the children's parents public school, state school state school
[ 'prI-v&t ] (adjective.) 14th century. Middle English privat, from Latin privatus, from past participle of privare to deprive, release, from privus private, individual; probably akin to Latin pro for, in front of; more at FOR.