public utility

American  

noun

1. a business enterprise, as a public-service corporation, performing an essential public service and regulated by the federal, state, or local government.

2. Usually public utilities. stocks or bonds of public-utility companies, excluding railroads.

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public utility British  

noun

1. Also called (US): public-service corporation.  an enterprise concerned with the provision to the public of essentials, such as electricity or water

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public utility Cultural  

1. A private company supplying water, gas, electricity, telephone service, or the like, which is granted a monopoly by the government and then regulated by the government.

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Other Word Forms

• public-utility
  adjective

Etymology

Origin of public utility

First recorded in 1900–05

Example Sentences

See Examples For:

public utility

“Does the CEO or the public utility commission have confidence? The numbers could look perfect, and they might still say no.”

From The Wall Street Journal ● Aug. 31, 2026

She also would audit all corporate tax incentives and push for a statewide public utility to replace private monopolies.

From Los Angeles Times ● May 1, 2026

The company is working with the Tennessee Valley Authority, a public utility known as the TVA, on that project.

From Barron's ● Mar. 20, 2026

Burien chose land owned by Seattle City Light, Seattle’s public utility for electricity.

From Seattle Times ● May 20, 2024

For more than two centuries the school proved of little public utility.

From Toronto of Old by Henry Scadding