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

This means that throughout the state, multi-use personal beverage containers like coffee mugs, water bottles and drink cups are legally allowed to be filled by the customer at self-service fountain stations and by the server or barista behind the counter or at the customer’s table. —Kelley Dennings, The Orlando Sentinel, 17 June 2026

Dreamland Flower Farm operates a self-service flower shack, where people can come purchase flowers on the property. —Stephen Underwood, Hartford Courant, 17 June 2026

The retro motel has been updated to provide the amenities modern guests rely on while keeping its 1960s charm (like self-service check in with digital key codes). —Midwest Living, 15 June 2026

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

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