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

Many Walmart locations in Florida have self-service lottery ticket vending machines or sell lottery tickets at the customer service desk. —Lianna Norman, Florida Times-Union, 8 Feb. 2026

The restaurant chain is also testing a new restaurant design, with self-service kiosks, a drive-thru with a Hut ‘N Go menu for quick orders and a visible pizza-making station so customers can watch pies being made. —C. A. Bridges, Oklahoman, 5 Feb. 2026

Another option is to make use of the self-service laundry rooms on some ships. —Jill Schildhouse, Southern Living, 30 Jan. 2026

There are no safety considerations involving self-service stations. —The Editorial Board, Oc Register, 28 Jan. 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