public service

noun

1. the business of supplying an essential commodity, as gas or electricity, or a service, as transportation, to the general public.
2. government employment; civil service.
3. a service to the public rendered without charge by a profit-making organization:

   This radio program has been brought to you as a public service.

public service

noun

1. 1. government employment
   2. the management and administration of the affairs of a political unit, esp the civil service
2. 1. a service provided for the community

      buses provide a public service

   2. ( as modifier )

      a public-service announcement

3. the service responsible for the public administration of the government of a country. It excludes the legislative, judicial, and military branches. Members of the public service have no official political allegiance and are not generally affected by changes of governments British equivalentcivil service

Word History and Origins

Origin of public service¹

First recorded in 1560–70

Example Sentences

Yet, as postwar economic growth began to slow in the 1960s, states once again turned to gambling, this time hoping to finance the combination of generous public services and low taxes that citizens had come to expect.

From Washington Post

A 37-year-old former high school football star, Peace Corps volunteer in the Philippines and Houston city controller, Castillo brought a public service background to the position.

From Washington Post

“I appreciate Jason’s commitment to public service in this advisory role, which he will perform without compensation from any party,” Filner wrote in an April 2013 press release.

From Voice of San Diego

The senator and vice president-elect describes her upbringing and career in public service.

From Washington Post

This small number would result in negligible impacts on population, housing, and public services in the proposed Project area.

From Washington Post

Law-enforcement agencies at all levels of government provide a valuable and often thankless public service in their communities.

From The Daily Beast

While not all 86 million maintain positions of governance or public service, the Party's machinery runs on watchmaker precision.

From The Daily Beast

Even public-service lawyering jobs, while underpaid for the field, still pay better than low-wage warehouse labor.

From The Daily Beast

“Hurting others or destroying property is not the answer,” the elder Brown had said last week in a public-service video.

From The Daily Beast

I just came from a ceremony that celebrated pre-vets day down at Arizona Public Service—20 percent of their employees are vets.

From The Daily Beast

A railroad corporation, though performing a public service, nevertheless is a private corporation.

From Project Gutenberg

This contempt for the masses they cherish until they have to descend from Parnassus and enter the public service.

From Project Gutenberg

He had been ordered by the Commissioners of the Excise to pay ten thousand pounds into the Exchequer for the public service.

From Project Gutenberg

The estates of such men would soon have been considered as a fund applicable to the public service.

From Project Gutenberg

His last public service was performed in the defence of Hamburgh, where he was lieutenant governor.

From Project Gutenberg

Related Words

• civil service