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

"At this time, I must step away from public service to be by his side and fully support him through this battle."

From Barron's • May 22, 2026

“I must step away from public service to be by his side and fully support him through this battle,” Gabbard wrote.

From The Wall Street Journal • May 22, 2026

Mr. Bezos is also doing a public service in contrasting the performance of government with the performance of the companies he creates.

From The Wall Street Journal • May 21, 2026

Whipp says of lead Michael Shannon: He “usually plays the assassin. In ‘Death by Lightning,’ he plays President James A. Garfield, showing us a principled man who aims for a life of public service.

From Los Angeles Times • May 19, 2026

On the radio, the announcer reads public service classifieds.

From "All the Light We Cannot See" by Anthony Doerr

Related Words

• civil service