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

The airline was initially owned and operated by the federal government, making it subject to Canada's Official Languages Act, which ensures Canadians can access public services in both English and French.

From BBC

The move raises additional revenue to pay for public services but is often called a stealth tax by economists because it increases the tax take without a government having to put up rates.

From BBC

He has also pledged to rebuild public services with the return of frozen E.U. funds.

From Salon

The university said the doctorate is in recognition of his contributions to public service, environmental advocacy and the arts.

From BBC

Newsom’s executive order prohibits gubernatorial appointees “from using any non-public information obtained due to their public service to personally profit or assist another person…in profiting from participation in predictive markets.”

From The Wall Street Journal

Related Words

• civil service