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

That's while warning of the lowered performance of public services since the pandemic, measured by key indicators pointing in the wrong direction.

From BBC

The Society of Publishers in Asia gave Drew and his colleagues its public service journalism award for their reporting on the origins of Covid-19.

From The Wall Street Journal

They are calling for some public sector workers, including nurses, police officers and teachers, to have a proportion of their debt written off after 10 years of public service.

From BBC

He will want to ensure his own children have a purpose in life, an understanding of their role and public service.

From BBC

But allies and civil rights leaders say the decision reflects an overly narrow definition of public service.

From Salon

Related Words

• civil service