self-service

American  

[self-sur-vis] / ˈsɛlfˈsɜr vɪs /

Also self-serve

noun

1. the system of serving oneself in a restaurant, shop, gas station, or other facility, without the aid of a waiter, clerk, attendant, etc.

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adjective

1. noting or pertaining to a cafeteria, store, etc., designed for the patron or customer to gather food or merchandise from a display counter or shelves without the aid of attendants and pay at a cashier's desk upon leaving.

2. of, for, or pertaining to something designed to be used or enjoyed without the aid of an attendant.

   self-service banking; self-service elevators.

self-service British  

adjective

1. of or denoting a shop, restaurant, petrol station, etc, where the customer serves himself

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noun

1. the practice of serving oneself, as in a shop, etc

Etymology

Origin of self-service

First recorded in 1920–25

Example Sentences

Today was a clear example of self service.

From Washington Times • Apr. 24, 2023

A passenger, wearing a protective face mask, walks past a self service ticketing of airline company Air France in the departures area at the Nantes-Atlantique airport in Bouguenais near Nantes, France, June 29, 2022.

From Reuters • Sep. 16, 2022

“We’re very careful with who these brands are initially. But long term, this will move more and more to a self service model for appropriate brands for our platform.”

From The Verge • Sep. 9, 2022

Last year Apple launched its "self service repair" initiative, giving customers access to Apple parts and tools.

From BBC • Feb. 21, 2022

They seem to think that government service is meant to be self service.

From New York Times • Apr. 5, 2018