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

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

Many Walmart locations in Florida have self-service lottery ticket vending machines or sell lottery tickets at the customer service desk. —Jennifer Sangalang, Florida Times-Union, 28 Jan. 2026

There are no safety considerations involving self-service stations. —The Editorial Board, Oc Register, 28 Jan. 2026

Research your rebooking options and alternative itineraries in advance, and take advantage of airlines' self-service tools to avoid long lines at airport agent desks or long hold times on the phone. —Jeanine Santucci, USA Today, 25 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