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

Last summer, he was entered a pretrial diversion program that required him to surrender his law enforcement certification and complete 50 hours of community service.

From Los Angeles Times • Jun. 4, 2026

He also handed UKA's former Head of Sport 79-year-old Keith Davies a 175-hour community service order after hearing how he was in charge of the equipment, which had been assembled with vital base plates missing.

From BBC • Jun. 2, 2026

Lawyers for the defendants declined to comment but in court referenced the men’s community service, according to local reports.

From The Wall Street Journal • Apr. 21, 2026

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

He will read another letter from Etta declaring that Alex can continue to do community service at Shady Glen and another from the boy’s aunt and uncle, petitioning to remain his guardians.

From "Not Nothing" by Gayle Forman