noun

PSA

pee-ess-AY

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PSA (noun) means a short message broadcast or posted in the public interest, warning or informing people about something such as health, safety or a deadline. Example: “The council ran a PSA about the change to bin collections.”

noun

A short message broadcast or posted in the public interest, warning or informing people about something such as health, safety or a deadline.

"The council ran a PSA about the change to bin collections."

"A grim PSA about drink-driving played before every film."

informal Used online to flag a piece of information the poster thinks everyone should know, often mock-official or jokey.

"PSA: the car park closes at six tonight."

"PSA for anyone flying today — the trains to the airport are cancelled."

Prostate-specific antigen: a protein made by the prostate gland, measured by a blood test used to screen for and monitor prostate problems including cancer.

"His PSA level came back slightly raised, so they repeated the test."

"A PSA test is not a diagnosis on its own."

How to use PSA

Learner’s notes

In plain EnglishA short public notice telling everyone something they need to know; in medicine, a blood test relating to the prostate.

When to use it

The broadcast and online senses are everyday; the medical sense is clinical and appears with words like level, test and screening.

Memory tip

Context tells you which PSA is meant: if it is followed by "level", "test" or "reading", it is the medical one.

Trace the full origin ↓

Easily confused with

PSA vs advert PSA test vs biopsy

Common pairings

a quick PSA PSA test raised PSA level run a PSA

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C2 · Advanced serendipity Fortunate discoveries made entirely by accident.

Gen Z slang rizz Charm — the ability to attract a romantic interest.

B2 · Intermediate empathy The capacity to share another person’s feelings.

C1 · Advanced nonchalant Casually calm and relaxed; unconcerned.

Internet slang delulu Delusional — believing something against the odds.

Etymology nostalgia Greek nostos “return home” + algos “pain”.

C2 · Advanced serendipity Fortunate discoveries made entirely by accident.

Gen Z slang rizz Charm — the ability to attract a romantic interest.

B2 · Intermediate empathy The capacity to share another person’s feelings.

C1 · Advanced nonchalant Casually calm and relaxed; unconcerned.

Internet slang delulu Delusional — believing something against the odds.

Etymology nostalgia Greek nostos “return home” + algos “pain”.

Test yourself on “PSA” A quick quiz — meaning, synonyms & usage →

Fill the gap

Can you complete this real example?

The council ran a _____ about the change to bin collections.

Etymology

An initialism of public service announcement.

Origin: English

Synonyms

View more →

public service announcement public notice advisory

Related words

warning advisory notification consultative

Frequently asked questions

What does PSA mean in a social media post?

It stands for public service announcement and is used, usually half-jokingly, to introduce something the writer thinks everyone should be aware of. It signals "listen up, this is useful" rather than an official notice.

What is a normal PSA level?

Below about 4 nanograms per millilitre has traditionally been treated as normal, but the threshold rises with age and varies between labs. A raised PSA can be caused by infection, an enlarged prostate or recent exercise as well as cancer, so results are always interpreted by a doctor alongside other findings.

What is the difference between a PSA and an advert?

An advert is paid for and promotes a product or brand. A PSA carries information in the public interest, is usually produced by a government body or charity, and broadcasters often carry it free of charge.

What is the meaning of PSA?

"PSA" (noun) means a short message broadcast or posted in the public interest, warning or informing people about something such as health, safety or a deadline.

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