Home › Criminology, Law Enforcement & Penal Systems › Public Order Crimes › public intoxication

public intoxication

PUB-lik in-tok-si-KAY-shun /ˈpʌblɪk ˌɪntɒksɪˈkeɪʃən/

nounB2

legalformal

The state of being visibly drunk or under the influence of drugs in a public place, often to the point of disturbing others or being a danger to oneself.

This is a legal offense. It's not just about being drunk in public, but about being visibly impaired and potentially causing a disturbance or being unable to care for oneself.

The story behind the word. The word 'intoxication' comes from the Late Latin 'intoxicare,' meaning 'to poison.' This root reflects the ancient understanding of alcohol and drugs as substances that 'poison' the body and mind, leading to impaired judgment. The concept of 'public intoxication' as a legal offense developed as societies sought to regulate public behavior and maintain order, especially concerning the visible effects of alcohol consumption in shared spaces.

Word relationships

drunk and disorderly: Often used interchangeably, but 'drunk and disorderly' specifically implies that the intoxication has led to disorderly conduct, whereas 'public intoxication' can be a standalone charge even without active disorder.
public drunkenness: A more informal and direct synonym, often used interchangeably with 'public intoxication.'

sobriety: The state of being sober; not intoxicated.
clear-headedness: The state of having a clear and rational mind.

Commonly confused with

disorderly conduct: Public intoxication can be a form of disorderly conduct, but not all disorderly conduct involves intoxication, and not all public intoxication necessarily leads to other disorderly acts.

Word family

intoxicate (verb): to make (someone) drunk or unable to think clearly
intoxicated (adjective): affected by alcohol or drugs; drunk

Collocations

arrested for public intoxication
charged with public intoxication
ordinance against public intoxication

Example sentences

"The police officer issued a warning for public intoxication, advising the man to go home." He was arrested for public intoxication after falling asleep on a park bench.
"Many cities have ordinances against public intoxication to maintain order and safety." Laws against public intoxication vary by jurisdiction.

Memory hook

Being 'PUBLICLY INTOXICATED' means you're 'IN-TOXIC' in public. Toxic in public

When not to use

Do not use 'public intoxication' for someone who has had a drink or two but is not visibly impaired or causing a disturbance. It refers to a legally actionable level of impairment.

Fun facts

In some jurisdictions, laws against public intoxication are aimed more at getting individuals into protective custody or treatment rather than solely punishing them.
The legal threshold for 'public intoxication' is often subjective, relying on an officer's observation of visible signs of impairment and potential danger.

Related words

disorderly conduct, disturbance

Explore more words

sobriety, impairment, litter, altercation, arrest, revelry