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 op-ed was a true public service. —Voice Of The People, New York Daily News, 21 Feb. 2026

These people had devoted their lives to public service, Brown pointed out during a debate with Whitman. —Business Columnist, Los Angeles Times, 19 Feb. 2026

Ruchti echoed that, arguing that people who become judges give up profitable private practices or other jobs for a pay cut to do public service. —Idaho Statesman, 19 Feb. 2026

Documentary has long carried an expectation of empirical truth and public service. —Alison Foreman, IndieWire, 19 Feb. 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