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

Complimentary breakfast is a common offering at many hotel chains, including brands like Hampton Inn, Holiday Inn Express and Residence Inn, where self-service buffets are often included with overnight stays. —Kelly McGreal, FOXNews.com, 22 Mar. 2026

Cumberland Farms added its first self-service gasoline pump to one of its stores in 1970 and by 1975 had gasoline services at 100 of its stores. —Flint McColgan, Boston Herald, 21 Mar. 2026

The park is dog-friendly and features picnic tables, grills, a playground, a self-service dog wash station, and a beach volleyball court. —Tiana Molony, Travel + Leisure, 16 Mar. 2026

The facility’s self-service bags of raw peanuts were found without proper labeling. —Veronica Fernandez-Alvarado, Sacbee.com, 27 Feb. 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