service

/ˈsɝvəs/

Reviewed on

Also a verb

Meaning

  1. The action of helping or doing work for someone, especially as part of a business or organization.

    • The hotel is famous for providing exceptional customer service to all of its guests.

  2. A system that provides something needed by the public, such as transportation, water, or electricity.

    • Local residents complained after the city reduced bus service on weekends.

  3. Employment in an organization, especially the armed forces or government.

    • She retired after thirty years of dedicated service in the federal government.

  4. A routine maintenance check and tune-up performed on a vehicle or machine.

    • The car is running smoothly again after its annual service at the dealership.

Collocations

  • customer service
  • provide a service
  • public service
  • bus service
  • military service
  • years of service
  • annual service

Synonyms

Idioms

  • at someone's service

    Ready to help or follow someone's instructions.

    Just let the front desk know if you need anything; we are entirely at your service.

  • press into service

    To use something or someone for an urgent purpose they were not originally meant for.

    When the projector broke, an old chalkboard was pressed into service.

  • lip service

    Superficial support or agreement without genuine action.

    The committee paid lip service to reform but implemented no actual changes.