public service

noun

1

: the business of supplying a commodity (such as electricity or gas) or service (such as transportation) to any or all members of a community

2

: a service rendered in the public interest

3

: governmental employment

especially : civil service

Examples of public service in a Sentence

The cost of public services is on the rise.

The station is running antismoking commercials as a public service.

The company is heavily involved in public service.

He works in public service.

She has devoted her life to public service.

Recent Examples on the Web

The central bank did not directly attribute the increase to the earthquakes, but the acceleration coincided with the June 24 disaster, which disrupted transportation, commerce and public services across northern Venezuela. — Antonio María Delgado, Miami Herald, 14 July 2026

Workforce reductions continued in parallel, with public service headcount falling by a net 400 full-time equivalent roles in the past year alone, part of a decline of more than 2,200 roles, or over 10%, since 2019/20. — Naman Ramachandran, Variety, 14 July 2026

This means that the details of local subsidy design matter, including tax incentives, electricity tariff arrangements, grid and water upgrades, and whether any new resulting tax revenue will boost public services. — Daniel Yue, Fortune, 14 July 2026

This means that the details of local subsidy design matter, including tax incentives, electricity tariff arrangements, grid and water upgrades, and whether any new resulting tax revenue will boost public services. — Daniel Yue, The Conversation, 10 July 2026

Word History

First Known Use

1576, in the meaning defined at sense 2

Rhymes for public service

• interservice
• disservice
• preservice
• nervous
• nervus

Kids Definition

public service

noun

1

: the business of supplying a commodity (as electricity or gas) or service (as transportation) to any or all members of a community

2

: governmental employment

especially : civil service