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

These are full self-service snack, drink, and ticketing areas. —Andreas Wiseman, Deadline, 20 Feb. 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, 19 Feb. 2026

But Palesch noted that self-service kiosks can let customers check into hotels, while robots could take over some housekeeping functions. —Megan Cerullo, CBS News, 17 Feb. 2026

In one example, FedEx has consolidated nine sort processes into a single streamlined workflow, simplifying clearance processes by using digital self-service and AI to replace hundreds of legacy applications. —Glenn Taylor, Sourcing Journal, 13 Feb. 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