service

I UK [ˈsɜː(r)vɪs] / US [ˈsɜrvɪs] noun
Word forms "service":
singular service plural services
***

1) [countable] a system provided by a government or official organization for the needs of the public

the police/ambulance service

See:

health service

2)

a) [countable/uncountable] help that you give to someone, especially by using your skills, ability, or knowledge

do someone a service:

You'll be doing me a service by just staying out of my way.

need the services of someone:

To achieve the best results you need the services of a designer.

offer your services as something:

Sarah offered her services as a childminder for the day.

b) [uncountable] help and advice given to customers in a shop, hotel, or business

a shop with a reputation for excellent customer service

the standard/level/quality of service:

We must raise the quality of service to our customers.

3)

a) [countable] a business or organization that earns money by providing help, information, or advice for the public

financial/banking services

b) [countable/uncountable] work, help, or advice provided by a business or organization for the public

provide a service:

We aim to provide a first-class service.

4) [countable] an organization that does work for a government

the prison/diplomatic service

5) [countable/uncountable] work or duties done for a person or an organization

Jack had given 25 years of loyal service.

She was praised for her services to the community.

voluntary service:

He was finally rewarded for his many years of outstanding voluntary service.

6) [countable/uncountable] a service charge in a restaurant

7) [uncountable] the use and benefit that an object provides you with

This old van has given us years of service.

8) [countable] a bus, train, ship, or plane that goes regularly to a particular place or at a particular time

The Hastings service leaves from Platform 4.

9) [countable] an occasion when a vehicle or machine is examined to check that it works correctly and to make repairs

I need to take the car in for a service.

10) [countable] a religious ceremony

a church/marriage/funeral/memorial service

11) [countable] a hit of a ball that starts the play in a game such as tennis

12)

a) the services the armed forces

b) [uncountable] duties performed as a member of the armed forces, especially during a war

see (= perform) service:

Tony saw service during the Gulf War.

13) [uncountable] old-fashioned employment as a servant in someone's house

be in/go into service (= be/become a servant):

Her family had been in service for seven generations.

14) [countable] a complete set of plates and cups with the same design

15) [uncountable] legal the action of officially giving someone a legal document that orders them to do something

service of:

the service of a summons/writ

•

in service/out of service — in use/not in use

Many of the older planes have been taken out of service.

- be at someone's service

- be of service to someone

- essential services

- for services rendered

See:

services

II UK [ˈsɜː(r)vɪs] / US [ˈsɜrvɪs] verb [transitive]
Word forms "service":
present tense I/you/we/they service he/she/it services present participle servicing past tense serviced past participle serviced
**

1) to examine and repair a vehicle or machine as part of a regular check that it is working correctly

The car had just been serviced and was running perfectly.

2) to do work or to perform duties for a person, an organization, or a community

Electricity from the dam services several counties.

3) business to pay interest on money that you have borrowed from someone

He was using all his income to service his debts and so was unable to save any money.

III UK [ˈsɜː(r)vɪs] / US [ˈsɜrvɪs] adjective

1) used by the staff of a building or organization, and not by customers or the public

the service door/lift

2) relating to or belonging to the armed forces

service personnel

3) providing help, information, or advice for the public in exchange for payment

the service sector