community service

American  

noun

Law.

1. a punitive sentence that requires a convicted person to perform unpaid work for the community in lieu of imprisonment.

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community service British  

noun

1. voluntary work, intended to be for the common good, usually done as part of an organized scheme

2. See community-service order

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Example Sentences

Another doctor, Mark Chavez, was ordered to be confined at home and told to do hundreds of hours of community service.

From Barron's • Apr. 8, 2026

Fly tippers could face 20 hours of community service to clean their illegal dumps, and fines up to £300 for the offence.

From BBC • Mar. 18, 2026

Lira was sentenced to four months in federal prison and four months of home confinement and ordered to perform 200 hours of community service.

From Los Angeles Times • Mar. 5, 2026

Those caught with it for unlawful use face a caution, community service or an unlimited fine with repeat offenders facing up to two years in prison.

From BBC • Feb. 11, 2026

Molly hands over the community service forms, dutifully filled out and dated, along with the spreadsheet with the record of her hours and the required signatures.

From "Orphan Train" by Christina Baker Kline