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

Because large data centers use exorbitant amounts of electric power and water, and may produce health risks to nearby communities, the Los Angeles County Board of Supervisors will study the potential strain on public utilities and possible health effects with a report expected in four months. —Steve Scauzillo, Daily News, 15 Apr. 2026

This would shackle a public utility with the cost of buying expensive, unneeded transmission lines. —Craig D. Rose, San Diego Union-Tribune, 10 Apr. 2026

The organization wants to curb environmentalists' influence over the Phoenix-area Salt River Project, the largest public utility in the country, in a Tuesday election. —ABC News, 6 Apr. 2026

The Broncos are still working through negotiations with public utility Denver Water, which is eyeing Lot M of the current Empower Field site for part of its facility relocation — a move that could bring some city-planning issues. —Luca Evans, Denver Post, 28 Mar. 2026

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