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

So how will the former Google executive, with no experience of public service broadcasting, respond to the challenges?

From BBC • Mar. 23, 2026

"That would have been an important specimen," said Freeman, lead author of the study and a senior public service associate emeritus at the UGA Odum School of Ecology.

From Science Daily • Mar. 23, 2026

For Mueller, the investigation was a capstone of a long career in public service.

From The Wall Street Journal • Mar. 21, 2026

“Voters may see self-dealing as evidence that a candidate is prioritizing personal enrichment over public service, which damages confidence in elections and governmental institutions,” he said.

From Los Angeles Times • Mar. 19, 2026

We usually honored a luminary in public service and a client.

From "Just Mercy" by Bryan Stevenson

Related Words

• civil service