utility

[ yoo-til-i-tee ]

/ yuˈtɪl ɪ ti /

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See synonyms for: utility / utilities on Thesaurus.com

noun, plural u·til·i·ties.

the state or quality of being useful; usefulness: This chemical has no utility as an agricultural fertilizer.

something useful; a useful thing.

a public service, as a telephone or electric-light system, a streetcar or railroad line, or the like.Compare public utility (def. 1).

Often utilities. a useful or advantageous factor or feature: the relative utilities of a religious or a secular education.

Economics. the capacity of a commodity or a service to satisfy some human want.

the principle and end of utilitarian ethics; well-being or happiness; that which is conducive to the happiness and well-being of the greatest number.

Computers. utility program.

utilities, stocks or bonds of public utilities.

a grade of beef immediately below commercial.

adjective

(of domestic animals) raised or kept as a potentially profitable product rather than for show or as pets: utility breeds; utility livestock.

having or made for a number of useful or practical purposes rather than a single, specialized one: a utility knife.

designed chiefly for use or service rather than beauty, high quality, or the like: a utility vehicle; utility furniture.

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Origin of utility

1350–1400; Middle English utilite<Old French utelite<Latin ūtilitās, equivalent to ūtil(is) useful (see utile) + -itās-ity

OTHER WORDS FROM utility

non·u·til·i·ty, noun, plural non·u·til·i·ties.

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2021

Example sentences from the Web for utility

The popularity of solar leasing is inspiring moves like this by utilities.
Panel Discussion|The Daily Beast|September 8, 2014|DAILY BEAST
Utilities and real estate developers would start making home-charging stations standard rather than expensive extras.
Tesla’s Radical Patent Move is a Plot to Take Over the Road|Daniel Gross|June 15, 2014|DAILY BEAST
In California, for example, the utilities earn profits even as people and businesses use less energy.
EPA’s New Regulations to Cut Carbon Emissions Are Obamacare for the Air|Jason Mark|June 2, 2014|DAILY BEAST
For the first time, utilities nationwide will have a financial incentive to decrease electricity usage.
EPA’s New Regulations to Cut Carbon Emissions Are Obamacare for the Air|Jason Mark|June 2, 2014|DAILY BEAST

And in 43 states, utilities are required to buy the power that a rooftop system produces but does not use.
Solar Power Burns Old Utilities’ Business Models|Daniel Gross|April 24, 2014|DAILY BEAST
This, by the way, was in line with the new slogan put out by the boss and his boosters: "Own your own Utilities."
The Wreckers|Francis Lynde
Second, that the people in each state own and control the utilities that come in contact with the people on a state-wide scale.
Communism and Christianism|William Montgomery Brown
Even the utilities that are becoming the custom of our time, have their refining and exalting influences.
The Hearth-Stone|Samuel Osgood
Besides, it may occur that some one in the future will discover in it utilities which at present are not seen.
Treatise on Light|Christiaan Huygens
Its plainest utilities bloom into loveliness, and to a devout ear sing out in anthems.
The Hearth-Stone|Samuel Osgood

British Dictionary definitions for utility

utility

/ (juːˈtɪlɪtɪ) /

noun plural -ties

the quality of practical use; usefulness; serviceability
(as modifier)a utility fabric

something useful

a public service, such as the bus system; public utility
(as modifier)utility vehicle

economics

the ability of a commodity to satisfy human wants
the amount of such satisfactionSee disutility

statistics

a measure of the total benefit or disadvantage attaching to each of a set of alternative courses of action
(as modifier)utility function See also expected utility, decision theory

Also called: utility truck, (informal) ute Australian and NZ a small truck with an open body and low sides, often with a removable tarpaulin cover; pick-up

a piece of computer software designed for a routine task, such as examining or copying files

Word Origin for utility

C14: from Old French utelite, from Latin ūtilitās usefulness, from ūtī to use

Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

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utility

noun, plural u·til·i·ties.

adjective

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QUIZ YOURSELF ON AFFECT VS. EFFECT!

Origin of utility

OTHER WORDS FROM utility

Example sentences from the Web for utility

British Dictionary definitions for utility

noun plural -ties

Word Origin for utility

MEANINGS

WORD GAMES

LEARN

WRITING

WORD OF THE DAY

utility

noun, plural u·til·i·ties.

adjective

QUIZZES

QUIZ YOURSELF ON AFFECT VS. EFFECT!

Origin of utility

OTHER WORDS FROM utility

Words related to utility

Example sentences from the Web for utility

British Dictionary definitions for utility

noun plural -ties

Word Origin for utility