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

She said: "Too often these cases are dependent upon bereaved families campaigning at a time when they are least prepared to do so, and it is an outstanding public service that they perform."

From BBC ● Sep. 8, 2026

“We hoped that providing data around how much someone saves using a public service would give patrons a sense of ownership to utilize their local library,” Lipinski told me.

From Salon ● Sep. 6, 2026

A private funeral for Parton is expected to be for family and close friends, followed by at least one public service, either in Nashville or Sevierville.

From Barron's ● Aug. 26, 2026

Brave journalists like Mr. Bai do a public service with their reporting, and Chinese readers aren’t their only beneficiaries.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Aug. 4, 2026

Daniel Hudson Burnham was born in Henderson, New York, on September 4, 1846, into a family devoted to Swedenborgian principles of obedience, self-subordination, and public service.

From "The Devil in the White City" by Erik Larson

Related Words

• civil service