self-service

[ self-sur-vis ]

noun

1. the system of serving oneself in a restaurant, shop, gas station, or other facility, without the aid of a waiter, clerk, attendant, etc.

adjective

1. noting or pertaining to a cafeteria, store, etc., designed for the patron or customer to gather food or merchandise from a display counter or shelves without the aid of attendants and pay at a cashier's desk upon leaving.
2. of, for, or pertaining to something designed to be used or enjoyed without the aid of an attendant:

   self-service banking; self-service elevators.

self-service

adjective

1. of or denoting a shop, restaurant, petrol station, etc, where the customer serves himself

noun

1. the practice of serving oneself, as in a shop, etc

Word History and Origins

Origin of self-service¹

First recorded in 1920–25