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 products were sold at deli and self-service cases in Kroger stores throughout 28 states, including Ohio and Kentucky. —Matthew Cupelli, Cincinnati Enquirer, 4 Oct. 2025

Inspectors found a dying German cockroach on a shelf below the self-service pastry display case, as well as multiple dead cockroaches behindthe cabinet door below the unit. —Sarah Linn, Sacbee.com, 3 Oct. 2025

Enhanced self-service kiosks—these kiosks allow customers to weigh packages, print labels, purchase supplies and mail packages. —Matthew Robinson, MSNBC Newsweek, 3 Oct. 2025

Central Terminal’s check-in area, between Concourses F and G, has been upgraded and now has modern ticket counters and self-service baggage-drop stations. —Vinod Sreeharsha september 30, Miami Herald, 30 Sep. 2025

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