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utility definition

util·ity (yo̵̅o̅ til′ə tē)

noun pl. utilities -·ties

  1. the quality or property of being useful; usefulness
  2. something useful
    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

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

Alternate definitions:

business utility definition - business

finance utility definition - finance

law utility definition - legal

telecom utility definition - telecom

utility Synonyms

utility

n.

  1. Usefulness

    use, service, advantage, convenience, benefit, serviceableness, expediency, avail, profit, favor, efficacy, efficiency, adequacy, productiveness.

  2. Utility company

    gas company, electricity company, water company; see business 4, monopoly.


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.

utility Usage Examples

Converse of object

  • diminish: T F 8. If someone's utility function exhibits diminishing marginal utility of wealth, this person is risk averse.

Adjective modifier

  • marginal: T F 8. If someone's utility function exhibits diminishing marginal utility of wealth, this person is risk averse.

Modifies a noun

  • bill: These include a passport, utility bill or driving license.

Noun used with modifier

  • freeware: You need ' Brick for Windows ' , a stress-relieving 29KB freeware utility that places a virtual brick in your Start Bar.
utility 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.

utility quotes

Whoever, in the pursuit of science, seeks after immediate practical utility may rest assured that he seeks in vain.

-Helmholtz, Hermann Ludwig Ferdinand von

The point of equilibrium will be known by the criterion that an infinitely small amount of commodity exchanged in addition, at the same rate, will bring neither gain nor loss of utility.

-Jevons,William Stanley

Labour once spent has no influence on the future value of any article; it isgone and lost for ever. In commerce bygones are forever bygones; and we are alwaysstarting clearat each moment, judging the values of things with a view to future utility.

-Jevons,William Stanley

utility 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

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

  • Your Dictionary. 3 July 2009
  • <www.yourdictionary.com/utility>

APA Style

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

  • Retrieved July 3rd, 2009, from www.yourdictionary.com/utility

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