nonutility

noun

non·​util·​i·​ty ˌnän-yü-ˈti-lə-tē How to pronounce nonutility (audio)
plural nonutilities
: something that is not a utility
especially : a company (such as a producer of electricity) that is not a public utility
This change allowed the new nonutilities to compete with utilities and others for the opportunity to sell electricity in wholesale markets … GAO Report
often used before another noun
nonutility energy producers
Exxon is one of the world's biggest nonutility generators of electric power. Toni Mack

Examples of nonutility in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web Icahn contends that if his side doesn’t win, Hester will keep doing a poor job running the utility, and probably make more nonutility acquisitions. Shawn Tully, Fortune, 5 Apr. 2022 Her resolution could set the stage for a legal challenge, because the state Supreme Court has previously blocked City Light and Seattle Public Utilities from spending ratepayer money on nonutility items, such as streetlights and fire hydrants. Daniel Beekman, The Seattle Times, 30 July 2018

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'nonutility.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

Word History

First Known Use

1913, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of nonutility was in 1913

Dictionary Entries Near nonutility

Cite this Entry

“Nonutility.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/nonutility. Accessed 28 Mar. 2024.

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