service charge

noun

1. a fee charged for a service, sometimes in addition to a basic charge.

service charge

noun

1. a percentage of a bill, as at a restaurant or hotel, added to the total to pay for service

Word History and Origins

Origin of service charge¹

First recorded in 1915–20

Example Sentences

Mae, a 17-year-old waitress for a small business, says she doesn't expect customers to tip on top of the service charge that is added to the bill.

From BBC

Businesses have been banned from withholding tips or service charges from their staff under new rules that have come into force.

From BBC

"Everything that Sam has had, that's including the crisis support, the support to get to the appointments, paying the service charges, I bet that's come in easily under £1,000," she says.

From BBC

He is worried about his growing energy bills and service charges - despite not paying extra for access to the Landmark’s gym and private cinema.

From BBC

Readers vent about mandatory service charges at restaurants and by solicitations for ever-more generous tipping amounts.

From Los Angeles Times