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

Any group of employees that forms an internal clique with secret membership, intimidation, special treatment, or retaliation is incompatible with public service and will be eliminated from this department. —Opinion Staff, Daily News, 5 Apr. 2026

This person says Davie surrounded himself with commercial executives, rather than those steeped in public service broadcasting. —Jake Kanter, Deadline, 2 Apr. 2026

Government offices and many public services also don’t operate on Sunday. —Howard Cohen, Miami Herald, 1 Apr. 2026

The bill is backed by a bipartisan delegation of lawmakers representing towns in the Litchfield Hills, who described the NRRA as part of a broader effort to regionalize public services that has proven popular and cost-effective for residents. —John Moritz, Hartford Courant, 1 Apr. 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