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

Benson says her achievements in her current role as secretary of state include upgrades to online services, cutting average wait times of in-person visits and creating self-service stations at branch offices and grocery stores. — Karma Sabbah, CBS News, 13 Oct. 2026

In the morning, the bar becomes a self-service coffee station with pastries, fruit, and yogurt. — Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 6 Oct. 2026

Accessibility standards and core brand principles may be shared, while a complex enterprise buying journey may need different patterns than a self-service product. — Goran Paun, Forbes.com, 6 Oct. 2026

The outlet also pointed out that Apple still doesn’t offer replacement parts, repair manuals, or self-service repair guides for its AirPods. — Jibin Joseph, PC Magazine, 30 Sep. 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