public service

American  

noun

1. the business of supplying an essential commodity, as gas or electricity, or a service, as transportation, to the general public.

2. government employment; civil service.

3. a service to the public rendered without charge by a profit-making organization.

   This radio program has been brought to you as a public service.

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public service British  

noun

1. 1. government employment

   2. the management and administration of the affairs of a political unit, esp the civil service

2. 1. a service provided for the community

      buses provide a public service

   2. ( as modifier )

      a public-service announcement

3. British equivalent: civil service. the service responsible for the public administration of the government of a country. It excludes the legislative, judicial, and military branches. Members of the public service have no official political allegiance and are not generally affected by changes of governments

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Etymology

Origin of public service

First recorded in 1560–70

Example Sentences

See Examples For:

public service

In a statement to the New York Times on Thursday, the White House called the ad an “educational and unapologetically patriotic” public service announcement.

From Slate ● Sep. 24, 2026

The professors have performed a public service, even if it is unlikely to win them any popularity contests.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Sep. 22, 2026

He welcomed the Sottish government's indication that it wanted to "identify a shared direction for public service reform".

From BBC ● Sep. 22, 2026

Even when the devout Christian decided to retire, he found a way to be of public service.

From Los Angeles Times ● Sep. 18, 2026

I thought about Lieutenant Colonel Murnane, my tenth- and eleventh-grade history and social studies teacher, who lit a fire in me about the importance of public service.

From "The Other Wes Moore: One Name, Two Fates" by Wes Moore

Related Words

• civil service