service charge

American  

noun

1. a fee charged for a service, sometimes in addition to a basic charge.

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service charge British  

noun

1. a percentage of a bill, as at a restaurant or hotel, added to the total to pay for service

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Etymology

Origin of service charge

First recorded in 1915–20

Example Sentences

See Examples For:

service charge

From June, the airport operator also stands to benefit from a 53% increase in the passenger service charge for international departures.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Apr. 22, 2026

“When we found out about the 24% service charge, it was just sort of icing on the cake,” Auerbach said.

From Los Angeles Times ● Apr. 8, 2026

The service charge for his one‑bedroom "affordable" flat was around £120.

From BBC ● Mar. 24, 2026

So when he received a "shocking" letter 18 months later saying his monthly service charge was going up to £327 - a sum he "absolutely just could not afford" - he was stunned.

From BBC ● Mar. 24, 2026

“Seven hundred and twenty dollars. Talk about a rip-off. They’re supposed to sell for fifty-five a piece, but they charge a five-dollar service charge for each ticket.”

From "Small Steps" by Louis Sachar