self-service

noun

self-ser·​vice ˈself-ˈsər-vəs 

: the serving of oneself (as in a restaurant or gas station) with goods or services to be paid for at a cashier's desk or by using a coin-operated mechanism or a credit or debit card

self-service adjective

Examples of self-service in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

The expectation is driving simpler pricing structures, easier onboarding and more intuitive self-service experiences. — David Kim, Forbes.com, 20 Oct. 2026

Half and half was held at room temperature for consumer self-service. — Nwa Democrat-Gazette, Arkansas Online, 19 Oct. 2026

Orders are placed at self-service kiosks, allowing guests to mix and match items from various vendors without the hassle of separate checks. — Senior Food Editor, Los Angeles Times, 15 Oct. 2026

Look for help articles, video tutorials and user groups for self-service troubleshooting. — Dana Miranda, CNBC, 15 Oct. 2026

Word History

First Known Use

1913, in the meaning defined above

Rhymes for self-service

• disservice
• preservice
• interservice
• nervous
• nervus

Kids Definition

self-service

noun

self-ser·​vice

ˈself-ˈsər-vəs

: the serving of oneself (as in a restaurant or gas station) with things to be paid for at a cashier's desk or by means of a mechanism that is operated by coins

self-service adjective