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. 2022

How to use utility in a sentence

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

utility

Origin of utility

OTHER WORDS FROM utility

Words related to utility

How to use utility in a sentence

British Dictionary definitions for utility

Word Origin for utility