1
2
3
a
: a form followed in worship or in a religious ceremony
the burial service
b
: a meeting for worship
—often used in plural
held evening services
4
: the act of serving: such as
a
: a helpful act
did him a service
b
: useful labor that does not produce a tangible commodity
—usually used in plural
charge for professional services
c
: serve
5
: a set of articles for a particular use
a silver tea service
6
a
: an administrative division (as of a government or business)
the consular service
b
: one of a nation's military forces (such as the army or navy)
7
a
: a facility supplying some public demand
telephone service
bus service
b
: a facility providing maintenance and repair
television service
8
: the materials (such as spun yarn, small lines, or canvas) used for serving a rope
9
: the act of bringing a legal writ, process, or summons to notice as prescribed by law
10
: the act of a male animal copulating with a female animal
11
: a branch of a hospital medical staff devoted to a particular specialty
obstetrical service
serviced; servicing
: to perform services for: such as
a
: to repair or provide maintenance for
serviced the furnace
b
: to meet interest and sinking fund payments on
service government debt
c
: to perform any of the business functions auxiliary to production or distribution of
d
of a male animal
: serve sense 10
servicer
noun
1
: of or relating to the armed services
2
: used in serving or supplying
delivery men use the service entrance
3
: intended for hard or everyday use
4
a
: providing services
the service trades—from filling stations to universities—
John Fischer
John Fischer
b
: offering repair, maintenance, or incidental services
: an Old World tree (Cormus domestica) resembling the related mountain ashes but having larger flowers and larger edible fruit
also
: a related Old World tree (Torminalis glaberrima) with bitter fruits
Synonyms
Noun (1)
Adjective
Examples of service in a Sentence
Noun (1)
performed many services for the charitable organization
that broom is worn out beyond all service
at the time the country had about a million men and women in the service
the OSS, the nation's wartime intelligence service
Verb
I need to get my car serviced.
The shop services sewing machines and old typewriters.
The company was unable to service the loan.
The bookstore primarily services people looking for out-of-print books.
Adjective
spent his time in the army as a correspondent for service newspapers
Recent Examples on the Web
Matt Robison, Newsweek, 21 Nov. 2024
Its major misstep — along with apparent issues on set that were revealed during the press tour — was in trying to service too many inspirations.
—Harrison Richlin, IndieWire, 20 Nov. 2024
True Tamplin, Forbes, 5 Sep. 2024
Does your company take steps to anonymize user data when it is used for its own purposes, shared with service providers, or shared with non-service provider third parties?
—Jonathan M. Gitlin, Ars Technica, 4 Dec. 2023
Jack Irvin, People.com, 23 Nov. 2024
These procedures—how a product is made, a service is delivered, or a problem is solved—are often steeped in insights that could benefit other clients.
—Rhea Wessel, Forbes, 23 Nov. 2024
See all Example Sentences for service 
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
show current usage.
Read More
Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors.
Send us feedback.
Verb
In the latest blow to Russian aviation, business newspaper Kommersant has reported that the inability to service the planes has meant that airlines have grounded 34 out of the 66 Airbus A320/A321neo that are in the country.
—Matt Robison, Newsweek, 21 Nov. 2024
Its major misstep — along with apparent issues on set that were revealed during the press tour — was in trying to service too many inspirations.
—Harrison Richlin, IndieWire, 20 Nov. 2024
Adjective
Military service offers both personal growth and long-term career stability, allowing individuals to serve their country while preparing for a successful post-service career.
—True Tamplin, Forbes, 5 Sep. 2024
Does your company take steps to anonymize user data when it is used for its own purposes, shared with service providers, or shared with non-service provider third parties?
—Jonathan M. Gitlin, Ars Technica, 4 Dec. 2023
Noun
Beyoncé's upcoming halftime show at the Houston Texans and Baltimore Ravens game on Christmas, which will also air live on the service, however, will be glitch-free — according to her mom, Tina Knowles.
—Jack Irvin, People.com, 23 Nov. 2024
These procedures—how a product is made, a service is delivered, or a problem is solved—are often steeped in insights that could benefit other clients.
—Rhea Wessel, Forbes, 23 Nov. 2024
See all Example Sentences for service
Dictionary Entries Near service
Cite this Entry
“Service.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/service. Accessed 30 Nov. 2024.
Copy CitationKids Definition
service
1 of 2 noun
ser·vice
ˈsər-vəs 
1
a
: the occupation or function of serving
in active service
b
: employment as a servant
entered the queen's service
2
a
: the work or action performed by one that serves
gives good service
b
: help entry 2 sense 1, use, benefit
be of service to them
c
: availability for use
I'll place a car at your service
3
: a religious ceremony or rite
the burial service
4
a
: the act of serving
b
: a helpful act : good turn
did us a service
c
: useful labor that does not produce goods
—usually used in plural
charge for professional services
d
5
: a set of articles for a particular use
a tea service
6
a
: a branch of public employment or the people working in it
the consular service
b
: a nation's armed forces
called into the service
7
: an organization for supplying some public demand or keeping up and repairing something
television sales and service
service
adjective
service
2 of 2 verb
serviced; servicing
: to work at taking care of and repairing
service cars
Medical Definition
service
noun
ser·vice
ˈsər-vəs
: a branch of a hospital medical staff devoted to a particular specialty
pediatric service
Biographical Definition
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