noun pl. utilities -·ties

1. the quality or property of being useful; usefulness
2. something useful
3. 1. something useful to the public, esp. the service of electric power, gas, water, telephone, etc.
   2. a company or government agency providing such a service
   3. shares of stock in such a company
4. Econ. the power to satisfy the needs or wants of humanity

Etymology: ME utilite < OFr utilité < L utilitas < utilis, utile

adjective

1. serving or designed for practical use with little or no attention to beauty
2. useful or used in a number of ways
3. ☆ designating an auxiliary player who is able to substitute at any of several positions on a baseball team a utility infielder
4. designating or of an inferior, usually dark, coarse grade of meat, lacking fat