self-service

noun

self-ser·​vice ˈself-ˈsər-vəs 

: the serving of oneself (as in a restaurant or gas station) with goods or services to be paid for at a cashier's desk or by using a coin-operated mechanism or a credit or debit card

self-service adjective

Examples of self-service in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

Judy Williams’ recent flight from Seattle to Billings, Montana, was a painful lesson in self-service fatigue. — Christopher Elliott, USA Today, 10 July 2026

Aldi is investing $9 billion to expand its deep-discount model, aiming for 4,000 compact, efficient stores focused on private labels and self-service, which significantly lowers prices and attracts millions of new shoppers. — Pamela N. Danziger, Forbes.com, 8 July 2026

The service Service is intentionally casual with a friendly staff, a grab-and-go breakfast, and plenty of self-service elements. — Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 7 July 2026

This means that throughout the state, multi-use personal beverage containers like coffee mugs, water bottles and drink cups are legally allowed to be filled by the customer at self-service fountain stations and by the server or barista behind the counter or at the customer’s table. — Kelley Dennings, The Orlando Sentinel, 17 June 2026

Word History

First Known Use

1913, in the meaning defined above

Rhymes for self-service

• disservice
• preservice
• interservice
• nervous
• nervus

Kids Definition

self-service

noun

self-ser·​vice

ˈself-ˈsər-vəs

: the serving of oneself (as in a restaurant or gas station) with things to be paid for at a cashier's desk or by means of a mechanism that is operated by coins

self-service adjective