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

Gartner data show that only 14% of customer issues are fully resolved through self-service channels—rising to 36% for the simplest cases. —Cindy Rodriguez Constable, Forbes.com, 31 May 2026

The Paris police prefecture said smaller groups caused disturbances in various locations, with some vandalizing shops and setting fires to garbage and self-service bicycles in the streets. —ABC News, 31 May 2026

Described as a mobile self-service hydration station, the $40,000 trailer will be funded with money donated through Lakeshore Recycling System’s Annual Green Initiative. —Gloria Casas, Chicago Tribune, 14 May 2026

Come evening, a self-service bar is set with wine and cocktails as well as aperitivo snacks. —Elizabeth Heath, Travel + Leisure, 11 May 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