service

Noun

  1. work done by one person or group that benefits another; “budget separately for goods and services”
  2. an act of help or assistance; “he did them a service”
  3. the act of public worship following prescribed rules; “the Sunday service”
  4. a company or agency that performs a public service; subject to government regulation
  5. employment in or work for another; “he retired after 30 years of service”
  6. a force that is a branch of the armed forces
  7. Canadian writer (born in England) who wrote about life in the Yukon Territory (1874-1958)
  8. a means of serving; “of no avail”; “there’s no help for it”
  9. tableware consisting of a complete set of articles (silver or dishware) for use at table
  10. the act of mating by male animals; “the bull was worth good money in servicing fees”
  11. (law) the acts performed by an English feudal tenant for the benefit of his lord which formed the consideration for the property granted to him
  12. (sports) a stroke that puts the ball in play; “his powerful serves won the game”
  13. the act of delivering a writ or summons upon someone; “he accepted service of the subpoena”
  14. periodic maintenance on a car or machine; “it was time for an overhaul on the tractor”
  15. the performance of duties by a waiter or servant; “that restaurant has excellent service”

Verb

  1. be used by; as of a utility; “The sewage plant served the neighboring communities”; “The garage served to shelter his horses”
  2. make fit for use; “service my truck”; “the washing machine needs to be serviced”
  3. mate with; “male animals serve the females for breeding purposes”
  1. the action of helping or doing work for someone millions are involved in voluntary service

an act of assistance he has done us a great service | he volunteered his services as a driver

a period of employment with a company or organization he retired after 40 years' service

the use that can be made of a machine the computer should provide good service for years

employment as a servant the pitifully low wages gained from domestic service

  1. Commerce assistance or advice given to customers during and after the sale of goods they aim to provide better quality of service

the action or process of serving food and drinks to customers they complained of poor bar service

Restaurants • short for service charge service is included in the final bill

  1. Commerce a piece of work done for a client or customer that does not involve manufacturing goods highly customized goods and services | the provision of banking services to small and medium-sized businesses | the growth of employment in the services sector

  2. a system supplying a public need such as transport, communications, or utilities such as electricity and water a regular bus service

a public department or organization run by the government the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service

Military "the services" the armed forces he saw a friend in army uniform, telling tales of his adventures in the services | service personnel | troops from all branches of the services

Roads British "services" an area with parking beside a major road supplying gasoline, refreshments, and other amenities to motorists.

  1. Religion a ceremony of religious worship according to a prescribed form; the prescribed form for such a ceremony a funeral service

  2. Mechanics a periodic routine inspection and maintenance of a vehicle or other machine he took his car in for service | they phoned for service on their air conditioning

  3. [with modifier] a set of matching dishes and utensils used for serving a particular meal a dinner service

  4. Tennis (in tennis and other racket sports) the action or right of serving to begin play.

Tennis a serve.

  1. Law the formal delivery of a document such as a writ or summons.

Verb

  1. Mechanics perform routine maintenance or repair work on (a vehicle or machine) have your car serviced regularly

supply and maintain systems for public utilities and transportation and communications in (an area) the town is small but well serviced

perform a service or services for (someone) the state's biggest health maintenance organization servicing the poor

Finance pay interest on (a debt) taxpayers are paying $250 million just to service that debt

  1. Zoology (of a male animal) mate with (a female animal) one dog could presumably service several bitches in a day

Sex Vulgar Slang have sex with or give sexual gratification to (someone).

Origin

late Old English serfise (denoting religious devotion or a form of liturgy), from Old French servise or Latin servitium ‘slavery’, from servus ‘slave’. The early sense of the verb (mid 19th century) was ‘be of service to, provide with a service’

Thesaurus

Noun

  1. there has been an improvement in pay and conditions of service

Similar Words: work employment employ labour performance of one's duties

  1. he has done us a great service | Josie offered her services as a babysitter

Similar Words: act of assistance good turn favour kindness helping hand assistance help aid offices ministrations

  1. both the food and the service were excellent

Similar Words: waiting waitressing waiting at table serving of food and drink attendance serving

  1. high quality products which will give many years of reliable service

Similar Words: use usage

  1. he took his car in for a service

Similar Words: overhaul servicing maintenance check routine check check

  1. he will be cremated tomorrow after a private funeral service | the first words of the marriage service

Similar Words: ceremony ritual rite observance ordinance liturgy sacrament office

  1. the provision of a wide range of local services | the national telephone service

Similar Words: amenity facility resource utility solution system

  1. if you're about to leave the services, the prospect of Civvy Street can be daunting

Similar Words: armed forces armed services forces military army navy air force marines

Verb

  1. ensure that gas appliances are serviced regularly

Similar Words: overhaul check check over go over give a maintenance check to maintain keep in good condition repair mend recondition