public utility

noun

1. a business enterprise, as a public-service corporation, performing an essential public service and regulated by the federal, state, or local government. Compare utility ( def 3 ).
2. Usually public utilities. stocks or bonds of public-utility companies, excluding railroads.

public utility

noun

1. an enterprise concerned with the provision to the public of essentials, such as electricity or water Also called (US)public-service corporation

public utility

1. A private company supplying water, gas, electricity , telephone service, or the like, which is granted a monopoly by the government and then regulated by the government.

Other Words From

• public-u·tili·ty adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of public utility¹

First recorded in 1900–05

Example Sentences

Those most recent rate increases were reviewed and approved by Newsom appointees at the state public utilities commission.

From Los Angeles Times

About 4,600 customers remained without power as of Monday morning, the public utility company said on social media.

From Los Angeles Times

Loretta Lynch, former chair of the state’s public utilities commission, noted that big commercial customers such as data centers pay lower rates for electricity across the state.

From Los Angeles Times

Taylor hated being “a public utility. I didn’t like fame, I don’t like the sense of belonging to the public; I like being an actress or trying to be an actress.”

From Los Angeles Times

Burien chose land owned by Seattle City Light, Seattle’s public utility for electricity.

From Seattle Times