noun
public sphere
B1
Means the public sphere or public opinion; refers to the collective audience or general public. Noun: die Öffentlichkeit (feminine). Plural Öffentlichkeiten exists but is rare. Common prepositional collocation: 'in der Öffentlichkeit'. Often used as a mass noun in media, politics or social contexts.
Examples
Die Öffentlichkeit sollte über die Entscheidung informiert werden.
The public should be informed about the decision.
Der Politiker äußerte sich nicht in der Öffentlichkeit zur Angelegenheit.
The politician did not comment on the matter publicly.
Das Institut stellte die Ergebnisse der Öffentlichkeit vor, obwohl einige Daten noch unklar waren.
The institute presented the results to the public although some data were still unclear.
Details
Mnemonics
Picture a crowd of people representing the public; that collective is the 'Öffentlichkeit'.
Like the English 'publicity' — think the general public or public attention.
Feminine noun: remember 'die Öffentlichkeit' — imagine 'the public' as a group labeled with 'die'.
Notes
Öffentlichkeit refers to the general public or public sphere; different from 'öffentlich' (adjective).