📒 a system that provides something that the public needs, organized by the government or a private company
- the ambulance/bus/postal service
- The government aims to improve public services, especially education.
- Essential services (= the supply of water, gas, electricity) will be maintained.
📒 an organization or a company that provides something for the public or does something for the government
- the prison service
- the BBC World Service
- the Foreign Service
📒 a business whose work involves doing something for customers but not producing goods; the work that such a business does
- financial services
- the development of new goods and services
- Smith's Catering Services (= a company) offers the best value.
📒 the serving of customers in hotels, restaurants, and shops
- The food was good but the service was very slow.
- I complained about the poor service.
- 10% will be added to your bill for service.
📒 the work that somebody does for an organization, etc., especially when it continues for a long time or is admired very much
- service with something She has just celebrated 25 years' service with the company.
- service to something He has retired after 30 years of dedicated service to the local community.
- She was presented with a long-service award after 40 years with the firm.
📒 the army, the navy and the air force; the work done by people in them
- Most of the boys went straight into the services.
- He saw service in North Africa.
- After service in the US Army, he began his legal career.
📒 the use that you can get from a vehicle or machine; the state of being used
- That computer gave us very good service.
- in service This bus is not in service.
- out of service The ship will be taken out of service within two years.
📒 an examination of a vehicle or machine followed by any work that is necessary to keep it operating well
- a service engineer
- (British English) I had taken the car in for a service.
- (North American English) I had taken the car in for service.
📒 the particular skills or help that a person is able to offer
- You need the services of a good lawyer.
- service as somebody/something He offered his services as a driver.
- I offered my services as a babysitter for the evening.
📒 a religious ceremony
- a funeral/memorial service
- A memorial service will be held at St James's Church on Sunday.
- More than 100 people attended the service.
📒 a bus, train, etc. that goes regularly to a particular place at a particular time
- the cancellation of the 10.15 service to Glasgow
- Bus companies are planning to lay on extra services.
- The company offers direct, fast and frequent services between large towns and cities.
📒 a place next to a motorway where you can stop for petrol, a meal, the toilets, etc.
- motorway services
- It's five miles to the next services.
📒 an act of hitting the ball in order to start playing; the way that you hit it
- It's your service (= your turn to start playing).
- Her service has improved.
📒 a complete set of plates, dishes, etc. that match each other
- a tea service (= cups, saucers, a teapot and plates, for serving tea)
📒 the state or position of being a servant
- to be in/go into service (= to be/become a servant)
- a job in domestic service
📒 the formal giving of an official document, etc. to somebody
- the service of a demand for payment
📒 completely available for somebody to use or to help somebody
- Healthcare must be at the service of all who need it.
- (formal or humorous) If you need anything, I am at your service.
- The cabin staff are at your service throughout the flight.
📒 to be useful or helpful
- Can I be of service to anyone?
📒 to do something that is helpful/not helpful to somebody
- She was doing herself no service by remaining silent.
- You have done us a great service.
📒 to use somebody/something for a purpose that they were not trained or intended for because there is nobody or nothing else available
- Every type of boat was pressed into service to rescue passengers from the sinking ferry.