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

Los Angeles fire officials arrived shortly thereafter and saw the man atop one of the bridge’s arches, said Lindsey Lantz, public service officer with the Los Angeles Fire Department.

From Los Angeles Times ● Jul. 24, 2026

Andy Burnham, who has since been appointed prime minister, sent his condolences to her family, saying: "Ann gave a lifetime of public service."

From BBC ● Jul. 21, 2026

The statement said that “Forbes has devoted much of her life to public service and is widely respected by the many people who have worked with her over the years.”

From Los Angeles Times ● Jul. 20, 2026

“For years I had asked Usha to have another baby, and for years she had told me she was done—especially now that public service had elevated us into the national spotlight,” Vance wrote.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Jul. 19, 2026

A public service, is what he called it.

From "Flush" by Carl Hiaasen

Related Words

• civil service