service
noun
uk/ˈsɜːvɪs/ us [ C or U ] COMMERCE
business activity that involves doing things for customers rather than producing goods, or a single act of doing something for a customer:
The bank was the first to offer 24-hour telephone banking service.
We haven't actively promoted the email service because we have to be sure we can meet demand.
These days there are service jobs that no one ever dreamed about in the 1950s.
GDP is a measure of an economy's output of goods and services.
The goal is to increase customer loyalty by providing customized products and services.
offer/provide a service Career consultants offer numerous services, including résumé polishing.
service for sb/sth We provide an internet service for lawyers.
[ C ] GOVERNMENT
a system or organization that provides something important that the public needs:
the ambulance/health/postal, etc. service
The planners have to investigate what local services are available including transport, housing, and schooling for employees' children.
[ C ] GOVERNMENT
a government department that is responsible for a particular area or activity:
The immigration service has won an important victory in the courts.
[ C or U ] TRANSPORT
a system of buses, trains, aircraft, etc. that travel between particular places:
Passenger traffic registered a sharp rise thanks to the opening of a new ferry service from Liverpool to Dublin.
The 18:43 service to Liverpool has been cancelled.
Commercial air service is ready to resume today.
[ U ] COMMERCE
the way that employees of a business, store, etc. deal with customers, especially how quickly and effectively they do this:
level/quality/standard of service We constantly seek to improve the quality of service we give to our customers.
good/excellent/poor service
provide/give service They have provided excellent service in handling problem cases.
get/receive service It seems like you never get good service in restaurants these days.
services
[ plural ] formal
the particular skills that someone can offer to others:
You need the services of a lawyer.
offer your services (as sth) He has offered his services as a mediator in the dispute.
Until fairly recently the Law Society frowned upon solicitors advertising their services in any way.
[ C or U ] HR
the time an employee spends working for an organization, or the work they do:
British labour law gives employees rights dependent upon their length of service.
15/40, etc. years (of) service The amount of the severance payment is based on his 25 years service with the group.
Under Germany's constitution, the unions and employers' federations have the exclusive right to negotiate wages and conditions of service.
[ C ] UK
a check and repair of a vehicle or machine that is done at regular periods:
I'm taking my car in for a service.
be of service (to sb)
formal
to help someone:
Hello, how can I be of service?
in service
being used:
If we find a technology that will work, it could be in service by 2012.
See also
customer service
debt service
financial services
legal services
marketing services
public service
service
verb [ T ]
uk/ˈsɜːvɪs/ us FINANCE
to make regular payments to pay back a debt or loan, including interest:
As growth slowed and prices fell, borrowers were unable to service their debts.
The country is still spending $3 million a week servicing debt, twice what it spends on healthcare.
FINANCE
to collect and keep records of payments from a person or organization that has borrowed money:
We service about 350,000 mortgage loans.
to examine a machine and repair any damaged parts:
I'm taking the car in to have it serviced.
The 10-year contract involves servicing 11 gas turbines on three deep-water platforms in the Gulf of Mexico.
COMMERCE
to provide a service to someone:
service an industry/market
We hope to achieve greater efficiency and be better able to service customers.
See also
servicing
service
adjective [ before noun ]
uk/ˈsɜːvɪs/ usused only by people who work in a building or are delivering goods there, not by the general public:
a service elevator/entrance