a company that performs a public service; subject to government regulation
Used in a Sentence
utility
How to use utility in a sentence. Example sentences and definitions for utility.
Editorial note
"Being able to hail a cab" is a public utility.
Examples12
Definitions8
Parts of speech2
Quick take
a company that performs a public service; subject to government regulation
Meaning at a glance
The clearest senses and uses of utility gathered in one view.
the quality of being of practical use
the service (electric power or water or transportation) provided by a public utility; "the cost of utilities never decreases"; "all the utilities were lost after the hurricane"
Definitions
Core meanings and parts of speech for utility.
noun
a company that performs a public service; subject to government regulation
noun
the quality of being of practical use
See also: usefulness
noun
the service (electric power or water or transportation) provided by a public utility; "the cost of utilities never decreases"; "all the utilities were lost after the hurricane"
noun
(economics) a measure that is to be maximized in any situation involving choice
noun
(computer science) a program designed for general support of the processes of a computer; "a computer system provides utility programs to perform the tasks needed by most users"
noun
a facility composed of one or more pieces of equipment connected to or part of a structure and designed to provide a service such as heat or electricity or water or sewage disposal; "the price of the house included all utilities"
adjective
used of beef; usable but inferior
See also: utility-grade
adjective
capable of substituting in any of several positions on a team; "a utility infielder"
Example sentences
"Being able to hail a cab" is a public utility.
On the one hand it is a bit dishonest, but on the other hand there is a net utility in doing so.
I'm looking forward to many happy years with your awesome tool in my utility belt.
I wish they didn't, but it's not dumb enough to make me abandon the giant utility of the network as a whole.
As cool as the rsync algorithm is, i'd much rather we had the dsync utility outlined in this usenix 08 paper.
I don't have time to read your 20-page manual/treatise on a utility that doesn't explain how to actually use the thing until page 17.
Honestly I think it'll kill a few of these "upstarts".Also, I am less than convinced of the utility of mobile streaming.
I downvoted you because you are discussing DropBox as though it is a public utility that you have a right to, and some form of due process needs to take place.
I shouldn't get dirty water, or my power shut off, because the CEO of the utility company allows his/her VPs to play God. There's a reason these guys don't call themselves a "social utility" anymore...
Nothing good will come of this except for lots of employment for the lawyers who will be litigating whether this or that action is 'reasonable' and whether the internet is really like a public utility or not.
There's no love affair with bicycles, it's simply a matter of utility.> Of course, the cycle paths lend themselves to sauntering along in summer dresses in a way a death-defying, white-knuckle ride in rush-hour traffic does not.
It's plainly obvious that you aren't expected to actually be fiscally sound--otherwise why would they keep flooding you with credit invitations?Cars are expensive and limited in utility.
Frequently asked questions
Short answers drawn from the clearest meanings and examples for this word.
How do you use utility in a sentence?
"Being able to hail a cab" is a public utility.
What does utility mean?
a company that performs a public service; subject to government regulation
What part of speech is utility?
utility is commonly used as noun, adjective.