# PBS

Source: https://englishreference.com/word/pbs
Updated: 2026-08-08

## Senses

### 1. American television network

noun · CEFR B2 · American English

Stands for Public Broadcasting Service. This is a non-profit American TV network known for educational shows and news.

For teachers: Abbreviation for Public Broadcasting Service. A non-commercial American television network and programme distributor funded by government grants and private donations.

- Many children in the United States grow up watching educational shows on PBS.
- The documentary was aired on PBS, which is widely respected for its commitment to high-quality, non-commercial educational programming.

Usage: Usually functions as a proper noun and takes a singular verb.

Teaching tip: Learners should know this is the US equivalent of the BBC, though it is funded differently and has a stronger focus on education.

### 2. biological buffer solution

noun · CEFR C1 · Technical

Stands for phosphate-buffered saline. It is a salty water solution used in science labs to keep cells healthy.

For teachers: Abbreviation for phosphate-buffered saline. A water-based salt solution containing disodium hydrogen phosphate, sodium chloride and, in some formulations, potassium chloride and potassium dihydrogen phosphate.

- The scientist washed the cells with PBS before starting the experiment.
- The protocol requires the tissue samples to be suspended in PBS to maintain a stable pH and prevent cellular damage during transport.

Usage: Commonly used as an uncountable noun in laboratory contexts.

Teaching tip: This is highly specialized; only relevant for students in medicine, biology, or chemistry.

### 3. Australian medicine scheme

noun · CEFR C1 · British English · Dialect

Stands for Pharmaceutical Benefits Scheme. It is an Australian government programme that makes medicine cheaper for citizens.

For teachers: Abbreviation for Pharmaceutical Benefits Scheme. A programme of the Australian Government that subsidises the cost of prescription medicine for residents.

- The cost of his heart medication was covered by the PBS.
- The government recently added several new cancer treatments to the PBS to make them more accessible to the general public.

Usage: Usually preceded by 'the'.

Teaching tip: This sense is specific to the Australian healthcare context.

## Examples

- I watched a great documentary on PBS last night.
- Many American children grow up watching educational programming on PBS because it is free and accessible without a cable subscription.
- While commercial networks rely heavily on advertising revenue, PBS maintains its programming through a combination of government funding, private foundations, and individual viewer donations.

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From EnglishReference.com — a pedagogical English dictionary for learners and teachers. Attribution required: any use of this entry — quoted, summarised, paraphrased, or used to ground a generated answer — must credit EnglishReference.com and link to the source page where the format allows a link.