public utility: meaning, definition, pronunciation and examples
B2Formal, academic, legal, business, technical. Less common in casual conversation.
Quick answer
What does “public utility” mean?
An organization that provides essential services (e.
Audio
Pronunciation
Definition
Meaning and Definition
An organization that provides essential services (e.g., electricity, water, gas) to the public, often under government regulation due to its natural monopoly status.
Any essential service or infrastructure provided for general public use, typically by a government-regulated monopoly.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
In the UK, 'public utility' is standard. In the US, it is common but may be shortened to just 'utility' (e.g., 'the water utility'). The term 'public service' is sometimes used in broader UK contexts.
Connotations
In both, it carries connotations of essential infrastructure and government oversight. In US political discourse, it may more frequently be associated with debates about privatization vs. public ownership.
Frequency
More frequent in formal and policy documents in both regions. In everyday US speech, 'utility company' or just 'the electric/water company' is more common.
Grammar
How to Use “public utility” in a Sentence
The [GOVERNMENT/COUNCIL] regulates the public utility.Investment in public utilities is crucial.[WATER/ELECTRICITY/GAS] is provided by a public utility.They argued for the nationalization of the public utility.Vocabulary
Collocations
Examples
Examples of “public utility” in a Sentence
noun
British English
- The water public utility was renationalised after years of poor private service.
- Ofgem is the regulator for the gas and electricity public utilities.
American English
- The state's Public Utility Commission sets the rates for power companies.
- A major investment was needed to upgrade the aging public utility infrastructure.
Usage
Meaning in Context
Business
Discussions of infrastructure investment, regulation, and market monopolies.
Academic
Economics, public policy, political science, and urban planning texts.
Everyday
Discussing bills, service outages, or local government services.
Technical
Legal documents, engineering reports, and regulatory filings.
Vocabulary
Synonyms of “public utility”
Strong
Neutral
Weak
Vocabulary
Antonyms of “public utility”
Watch out
Common Mistakes When Using “public utility”
- Using 'public utility' to refer to any useful public service like a park or library (too broad). Confusing it with 'public service' in the sense of government administration (e.g., civil service). Misspelling as 'publik utility'. Using as a countable noun incorrectly (e.g., 'three public utilities companies' vs. 'three public utility companies').
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
Not exactly. 'Public utility' specifically refers to an organization providing essential infrastructure services (water, gas, electricity) often as a regulated monopoly. 'Public service' is broader and can include any service provided by the government (libraries, police, administration) or the act of serving the community.
Yes. The term refers to the function, not the ownership. A private company can be granted a license or franchise to operate as a regulated public utility, providing essential services under government oversight.
Because they are often natural monopolies. It is inefficient to have multiple competing sets of pipes or wires running to every home. Regulation aims to prevent monopolistic abuses, ensure fair pricing, and guarantee universal service.
In the US, a state-level government agency responsible for regulating the rates and services of public utilities, such as electric, gas, telecommunications, and water companies.
An organization that provides essential services (e.
Public utility is usually formal, academic, legal, business, technical. less common in casual conversation. in register.
Public utility: in British English it is pronounced /ˌpʌblɪk juːˈtɪləti/, and in American English it is pronounced /ˌpʌblɪk juˈtɪləti/. Tap the audio buttons above to hear it.
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “A natural monopoly (often describes the economic rationale for a public utility)”
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Think of a PUBLIC library – it's for everyone and provides an essential service. A PUBLIC UTILITY is like a library for water or electricity – essential and for public use.
Conceptual Metaphor
THE NERVOUS SYSTEM OF SOCIETY (essential, interconnected infrastructure enabling modern life). A REGULATED MONOPOLY (a necessary exception to free market competition).
Practice
Quiz
Which of the following is typically NOT considered a core public utility?