self-service

American  

[self-sur-vis] / ˈsɛlfˈsɜr vɪs /

Also self-serve

noun

1. the system of serving oneself in a restaurant, shop, gas station, or other facility, without the aid of a waiter, clerk, attendant, etc.

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adjective

1. noting or pertaining to a cafeteria, store, etc., designed for the patron or customer to gather food or merchandise from a display counter or shelves without the aid of attendants and pay at a cashier's desk upon leaving.

2. of, for, or pertaining to something designed to be used or enjoyed without the aid of an attendant.

   self-service banking; self-service elevators.

self-service British  

adjective

1. of or denoting a shop, restaurant, petrol station, etc, where the customer serves himself

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noun

1. the practice of serving oneself, as in a shop, etc

Etymology

Origin of self-service

First recorded in 1920–25

Example Sentences

See Examples For:

self-service

Novelties at Mayer am Nussberg that would have bamboozled Keller's ancestors include vegan food, alcohol-free wine -- of which Keller offers four sorts -- and self-service order touchscreens.

From Barron's ● Jul. 26, 2026

A fish and chip shop owner says he is installing self-service tills to protect staff from customers with "abrupt" questions about price rises.

From BBC ● May 13, 2026

Proton’s customer support prioritizes self-service, which may not satisfy users who want immediate, hands-on assistance from actual humans.

From Salon ● Mar. 21, 2026

Use certified mail, registered mail, or an approved private delivery service like FedEx or UPS, not labels from self-service kiosks or postage meters.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Mar. 20, 2026

He pays all the bills, and rakes the leaves on the lawn, and puts gas from the self-service station into her car.

From "The Namesake" by Jhumpa Lahiri