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

Over half of retailers surveyed said self-service solutions are resolving key customer pain points related to store navigation, product selection and price verification. — Arthur Zaczkiewicz, Footwear News, 23 Sep. 2026

Earlier this summer, TSA began testing self-service ID checks for eligible travelers at several airports, including Los Angeles International Airport, Charlotte Douglas International Airport and Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport. — ABC News, 7 Sep. 2026

Buy online pick up in-store zones with self-service lockers to pick up items. — Saleen Martin, Louisville Courier Journal, 3 Sep. 2026

From apps to self-service kiosks, technology has streamlined travel while quietly reducing the human connections many travelers once enjoyed. — Christopher Elliott, USA Today, 28 Aug. 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