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service1 definition

serv·ice (sʉrvis)

noun

  1. the occupation or condition of a servant
    1. employment, esp. public employment diplomatic service
    2. a branch or department of this, including its personnel; specif., the armed forces, as army, navy, or air force
    1. work done for a master or feudal lord
    2. work done or duty performed for another or others repair service, public service
  2. the serving of God, as through good works, prayer, etc.
    1. public worship
    2. any religious ceremony the marriage service
    3. a similar, but nonreligious, ceremony, as for a burial or marriage graveside services
    4. a musical setting for a religious service
    1. an act giving assistance or advantage to another
    2. the result of this; benefit; advantage
    3. friendly help; also, professional aid or attention the fee for his services
  3. the act or manner of serving food a restaurant noted for its fine service
  4. a set of utensils or articles used in serving silver tea service
  5. a system or method of providing people with the use of something, as electric power, water, transportation, mail delivery, etc.
  6. installation, maintenance, repairs, etc., provided by a dealer or manufacturer to purchasers of equipment
  7. the act or manner of serving the ball in tennis, etc., or one's turn to serve
  8. Archaic devotion, as of a lover to his lady
  9. Animal Husbandry the act of bringing a male animal to copulate with a female
  10. Law notification of legal action, as by the serving of a writ
  11. Naut. any material, as wire, used in serving (ropes, etc.)

Etymology: ME servise < OFr < L servitium, servitude < servus, slave: see serf

adjective

  1. of, for, or in service; specif.,
    1. of or relating to the armed forces
    2. providing repair, maintenance, supplies, etc.
    3. providing services, rather than goods
  2. of, for, or used by servants, tradespeople, etc. a service entrance
    1. for use during active service a service uniform
    2. serviceable; durable service weight stockings

transitive verb serviced -·iced, servicing -·ic·ing

  1. to furnish with a service
  2. to copulate with (a female): said of a male animal
  3. ☆ to make or keep fit for service, as by inspecting, adjusting, repairing, refueling, etc.
  4. to make the periodic interest payments on (a debt)
service Idioms

at someone's service

  1. ready to serve or cooperate with someone
  2. ready for someone's use

in service

  1. in use; functioning: said esp. of an appliance, vehicle, etc.
  2. in the armed forces
  3. working as a domestic servant

of service

giving aid or assistance; helpful; useful
service2 definition

serv·ice (sʉrvis)

noun

Service definition

Ser·vice (sʉrvis)

Service, Robert (William) 1874-1958; Cdn. writer, born in England

Webster's New World College Dictionary Copyright © 2005 by Wiley Publishing, Inc., Cleveland, Ohio.
Used by arrangement with John Wiley & Sons, Inc.

Alternate definitions:
service Synonyms

service

n.

  1. Aid

    co-operation, assistance, help; see aid 1.

  2. Tableware

    set, silver, setting; see china, dish 1, pottery.

  3. A religious service

    rite, worship, sermon; see ceremony.

  4. Military service

    military, army, duty, active service, stint.

at someone's service

zealous, anxious to help, ready to serve, obedient; see helpful 1, ready 1, willing 1.

in service

functioning, repaired, in good condition; see working.

of service

service

v.


Webster's New World Roget's A-Z Thesaurus Copyright © 1999 by Wiley Publishing, Inc., Cleveland, Ohio.
Used by arrangement with John Wiley & Sons, Inc.

service Usage Examples

Preposition: as

  • courtesy: We offer the service as a courtesy to our website visitors.

Converse of object

  • provide: We also provide a service specifically for South Asian women.

Adjective modifier

  • public: Only a handful of public services will be spared.

Modifies a noun

  • provider: Most existing cases involved refusal of service to a disabled person by a service provider.

Noun used with modifier

  • customer: For more enquiries on Driving Instructor Learning please contact our customer service for more details.
service usage examples (more)

The word usage examples above have been gathered from various sources to reflect current and historical usage. They do not represent the opinions of YourDictionary.com.

service quotes

Your glass will not do you half so much service as a serious reflection of your own minds.

-Astell, Mary

Not with eyeservice, asmenpleasers; but astheservants of Christ, doing the will of God from the heart; With good will doing service, as to the Lord, and not to men.

-Bible (NewTestament)

The author of peace and lover of concord, in knowledge of whom standeth our eternal life, whose service is perfect freedom.

-Book of Common Prayer

service quotes (more)

Webster's New World Dictionary of Quotations Copyright © 2005 by Chambers Harrap Publishers Ltd. All rights reserved. Published by Wiley, Hoboken, NJ. Used by arrangement with John Wiley & Sons, Inc.

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MLA Style

"service." Webster's New World College Dictionary. 2009

  • Your Dictionary. 4 July 2009
  • <www.yourdictionary.com/service>

APA Style

service. (2009). In Webster's New World College Dictionary

  • Retrieved July 4th, 2009, from www.yourdictionary.com/service

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