public service: meaning, definition, pronunciation and examples
commonformal to neutral
Quick answer
What does “public service” mean?
Services provided by the government or other organizations for the benefit of the general public, such as healthcare, education, and transportation.
Audio
Pronunciation
Definition
Meaning and Definition
Services provided by the government or other organizations for the benefit of the general public, such as healthcare, education, and transportation.
Can also refer to broadcasting intended for public benefit rather than commercial profit, or to acts done for the community without personal gain.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
In British English, 'public service' strongly associates with the BBC and public broadcasting. In American English, it more commonly refers to government agencies like the postal service.
Connotations
In the UK, it may have positive connotations of quality and impartiality; in the US, it can sometimes imply bureaucracy or inefficiency.
Frequency
Equally frequent in both variants, but context of use may differ.
Grammar
How to Use “public service” in a Sentence
provide a public servicework in public serviceaccess to public servicesfund public servicesVocabulary
Collocations
Examples
Examples of “public service” in a Sentence
verb
British English
- He decided to enter public service after university.
American English
- She plans to work in public service for her career.
adverb
British English
- She led the project public-service-focused.
American English
- They organized the event with a public service orientation.
adjective
British English
- The public service announcement was broadcast on TV.
American English
- Public service jobs are often secure.
Usage
Meaning in Context
Business
Refers to companies or roles that serve public interests, e.g., public service corporations.
Academic
Studied in fields like public administration, political science, and sociology.
Everyday
Used in discussions about taxes, healthcare, and community benefits.
Technical
In law and policy, refers to services mandated by the state for public welfare.
Vocabulary
Synonyms of “public service”
Strong
Neutral
Weak
Vocabulary
Antonyms of “public service”
Watch out
Common Mistakes When Using “public service”
- Confusing 'public service' with 'public servant' (a person).
- Using it as a verb, e.g., 'He public-services the community.' – should be 'He serves the public.'
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
Similar, but 'public service' can include non-governmental organizations, while 'government service' is more specific to state-run entities.
No, 'public service' is primarily a noun; standard verb forms are not established, so use phrases like 'perform public service' instead.
'Public service' is broader, often institutional or governmental, while 'community service' usually refers to voluntary work for local communities.
In American English, it is pronounced as /ˈpʌblɪk ˈsɜrvɪs/, with a rhotic 'r' in 'service'.
Services provided by the government or other organizations for the benefit of the general public, such as healthcare, education, and transportation.
Public service is usually formal to neutral in register.
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “in the public service”
- “public service spirit”
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Think of 'public' as the people and 'service' as help – so it's help for the people.
Conceptual Metaphor
SERVICE AS A DUTY
Practice
Quiz
What does 'public service' typically refer to?