Advertisement
Advertisement
utility
[yoo-til-i-tee]
noun
plural
utilitiesthe state or quality of being useful; usefulness.
This chemical has no utility as an agricultural fertilizer.
something useful; a useful thing.
a public service, as a system to provide water or electricity, a railroad line, a cell tower network, or the like.
Often utilities. a useful or advantageous factor or feature.
the relative utilities of a religious or a secular education.
Economics.the capacity of a commodity or a service to satisfy some human want.
the principle and end of the ethical doctrine of utilitarianism; well-being or happiness; that which is conducive to the happiness and well-being of the greatest number.
Computers.
Also called utility program.a piece of software used to perform standard operations involved in managing and maintaining the system itself, such as backing up data, copying data from one drive to another, restoring corrupted files, etc..
The suite includes a minimal set of utilities, including an encryption wizard for encrypting and decrypting personal files.
an app for a smartphone, such as a calculator, compass, etc., performing one simple function used in the course of carrying out some other activity.
The measuring app and other utilities are all accessed in one place on your phone screen.
utilities, stocks or bonds of public utilities.
a grade of beef immediately below commercial.
adjective
(of domestic animals) raised or kept as a potentially profitable product rather than for show or as pets: utility livestock.
utility breeds;
utility livestock.
having or made for a number of useful or practical purposes rather than a single, specialized one.
a utility knife.
designed chiefly for use or service rather than beauty, high quality, or the like: utility furniture.
a utility vehicle;
utility furniture.
utility
/ ːˈɪɪɪ /
noun
the quality of practical use; usefulness; serviceability
( as modifier )
a utility fabric
something useful
a public service, such as the bus system; public utility
( as modifier )
utility vehicle
economics
the ability of a commodity to satisfy human wants
the amount of such satisfaction See disutility
statistics
a measure of the total benefit or disadvantage attaching to each of a set of alternative courses of action
( as modifier ) See also expected utility decision theory
utility function
Also called: utility truck. ute.a small truck with an open body and low sides, often with a removable tarpaulin cover; pick-up
a piece of computer software designed for a routine task, such as examining or copying files
Other 51Թ Forms
- nonutility noun
51Թ History and Origins
51Թ History and Origins
Origin of utility1
Example Sentences
A GEL spokesperson said the utility "absolutely understands the strength of feeling amongst some islanders" and the "impact on customers already struggling with the cost of living".
One sign stuck to a utility box read, “Immigrants are not the enemy,” while another read, “All You Fascists Bound to Lose.”
The Public Utilities Commission sanctioned these projects with each of the eight utility companies in the state, and the result was a big surprise.
PAMA, the suit says, shifted mandatory shared utility costs, which used to be paid by the landlord, onto tenants’ bills in an attempt to evade the cap.
Video of the incident showed two sports utility vehicles trapping the Mercedes as it turned right, with the second vehicle pushing its bumper into the sedan before federal agents jumped out with guns drawn.
Advertisement
Related 51Թs
When To Use
A utility is something that is of service or serves a purpose.Broadly, a utility is anything that is useful. It is paired with many nouns that are commonly useful, such as a utility knife (a knife useful for cutting many things), a utility belt (a belt with pockets and loops to hold many things), and a utility room (a room in a house where the furnace, washing machine and other appliances are kept).In relation to modern life, a utility is a public service used by a household, such as water, electricity, or trash and recycling pickups. A bill for one of these services might be referred to as a utility bill.Utility can also refer to specific benefits that you would receive from taking part in an event or service, as in What is the utility of joining a union?In economics, utility specifically refers to a product’s or service’s ability to satisfy consumer needs.Example: That machine has great utility if you know how to use it.
Advertisement
Advertisement
Advertisement
Advertisement
Browse