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

Pasquale Esposito worked for the city for more than 30 years, retiring in 2009 as a coordinator of public utilities, according to city records.

From ProPublica

At least one 2015 paper suggested public utilities are worse at complying with important regulations and maintaining infrastructure because they operate at the pleasure of the voter.

From Voice of San Diego

Typically, he said, a public utility commission would determine whether a proposed project should move forward.

From ProPublica

It is the technical solution to the systemic problems Big Tech has created with its monopoly over the internet, a public utility that should be completely open — bringing back the concept of the programmable web.

From TechCrunch

What it doesn’t include is a right for the city to buy SDG&E’s equipment should it want to form its own public utility.

From Voice of San Diego

We have a provision in our Constitution like this: the use of water for irrigation and the like shall forever be a public utility.

From Project Gutenberg

You can judge better than I whether it will be of any public utility to lay them before Congress.

From Project Gutenberg

I have written in the greatest haste upon a subject, which I hope your Excellency will turn to public utility.

From Project Gutenberg

I lament to see qualities, rare and valuable, squandered away without any public utility.

From Project Gutenberg

Such a regulation, however, was founded purely on considerations of public utility.

From Project Gutenberg