customer service

noun

1

a

: support with products or services provided by a business to its customers

The company has won accolades for its customer service.

The commissioner has touted several improvements in customer service, including reducing the time it takes for agents to answer the national 800 number, shortening the wait times in field offices and reducing the initial disability claims backlog.

—Tami Luhby

b

: the aspect of business that involves providing support to customers

Artificial intelligence is becoming an increasingly common part of how customer service works …

—Ingrid Lunden

2

a

: the department of a business that provides support to customers

The company has openings in customer service.

also : its staff or location

Whether you're dealing with a classic case of buyer's remorse or have questions about deals, damage to packages, or your … membership, it's good to know that you can actually speak to customer service.

—Christina Buff

… make sure to download the app. … This can save you hours waiting in theme park-sized lines at customer service.

—Erin Bendig

b

: the profession of providing business support to customers

What this means for job seekers is that … the city has become an ideal launchpad for those seeking long-term career growth in customer service, technology and related industries.

—MarketersMedia News Hub

Examples of customer service in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

To help you get started, CNBC Select combed through dozens of auto insurers and based our analysis on cost, customer service, and other factors. —Liz Knueven, CNBC, 22 Apr. 2026

In addition to the Little Rock maintenance base, Envoy operates an aircraft maintenance facility at Northwest Arkansas National Airport and provides ground handling and customer service for American Airlines at both locations. —Arkansas Online, 21 Apr. 2026

Because there are no limits on call time, the transition from customer service to therapy was often imperceptible. —Julian Lucas, New Yorker, 20 Apr. 2026

Another area where credit unions can shine is customer service. —Becca Stanek, TheWeek, 20 Apr. 2026

And what do all of these messages say about customer service, anyway? —Christopher Elliott, USA Today, 17 Apr. 2026

Vine also advertises free customer service from actual humans for installation issues. —K. Thor Jensen, PC Magazine, 17 Apr. 2026

The airline has long emphasized its commitment to customer service. —Christopher Elliott, Mercury News, 13 Apr. 2026

This means learning how to serve with elegance and poise, and handle different customer service scenarios. —Niccolo Serratt, Condé Nast Traveler, 6 Dec. 2024

Word History

First Known Use

1922, in the meaning defined at sense 1a