Mo. Rev. Stat. § 351.387: Definitions.

As used in this section and section 351.388, unless the context requires otherwise, the following words and phrases shall mean:

(1) "Private corporation" means a general and business or a general not-for-profit corporation organized under the laws of this state;

(2) "Public corporation" means this state, a political subdivision thereof, a corporate instrumentality of this state and one or more states, or a bistate compact.