service

  • noun 1 the action or process of serving. 2 a period of employment with an organization. 3 an act of assistance. 4 a ceremony of religious worship according to a prescribed form. 5 a system supplying a public need such as transport, or utilities such as water. 6 a public department or organization run by the state: the probation service. 7 (the services) the armed forces. 8 (often in phrase in service) employment as a servant. 9 a set of matching crockery used for serving a particular meal. (in tennis, badminton, etc.) a serve. a periodic routine inspection and maintenance of a vehicle or other machine.

  • verb 1 perform routine maintenance or repair work on. 2 provide a service or services for. 3 pay interest on (a debt). 4 (of a male animal) mate with (a female animal).

  — PHRASES be at someone’s service be ready to assist someone whenever required. be of service be available to assist someone. in (or out of) service available (or not available) for use.

  — ORIGIN Latin servitium ‘slavery’.

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