public utility

noun

: a business organization (such as an electric company) performing a public service and subject to special governmental regulation

Examples of public utility in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

Also, the region’s legacy of responsible resource management is reinforced by strong collaboration among universities, national labs, and forward-thinking public utilities (like power, water, or gas providers), positioning it as a critical player in the future energy landscape. —Amin Mirkouei, Forbes.com, 15 Apr. 2025

For up-to-date Public Health Information and restoration of public utilities, please utilize the links and contacts below. —Ca Wildfire Bot, Sacbee.com, 3 Apr. 2025

In late 2023, the general manager of a Massachusetts public utility company got a surprising phone call. —Emily Forlini, PCMAG, 12 Mar. 2025

Fonfara is a former longtime chairman of the legislature’s Energy and Technology Committee, which oversees electric policy and laws relating to public utilities. —John Moritz, Hartford Courant, 4 Mar. 2025

Word History

First Known Use

1895, in the meaning defined above

Rhymes for public utility

• acceptability
• accessibility
• adaptability
• admissibility
• advisability
• affordability
• allowability
• amenability
• amiability
• appealability
• applicability
• availability

Kids Definition

public utility

noun

: a business organization performing a public service and subject to special governmental regulation

Legal Definition

public utility

noun

: a business organization (as an electric company) performing a public service and subject to special government regulation