Definition of service noun from the Oxford Advanced Learner's Dictionary

service

noun

ˈsɜːvɪs

ˈsɜːrvɪs

providing something

1 [countable] a system that provides something that the public needs, organized by the government or a private companythe ambulance/bus/telephone, etc. serviceThe government aims to improve public services, especially education.Essential services (= the supply of water, gas, electricity) will be maintained. see also emergency services, postal service

2 (also Service) [countable] an organization or a company that provides something for the public or does something for the governmentthe prison servicethe BBC World Service see also civil service, Diplomatic Service, fire service, health service, Internal Revenue Service, National Health Service, secret service, Security Service, social services

3 [countable, uncountable] a business whose work involves doing something for customers but not producing goods; the work that such a business doesfinancial servicesthe development of new goods and servicesSmith's Catering Services (= a company) offers the best value.We guarantee (an) excellent service.the service sector (= the part of the economy involved in this type of business)a service industry

in hotel/shop/restaurant

4 [uncountable] the serving of customers in hotels, restaurants, and shops/storesThe food was good but the service was very slow.10% will be added to your bill for service.Our main concern is to provide quality customer service.

work for organization

5 [uncountable] service (to something) the work that somebody does for an organization, etc, especially when it continues for a long time or is admired very muchShe has just celebrated 25 years' service with the company.The employees have good conditions of service.After retiring, she became involved in voluntary service in the local community. see also jury service

of vehicle/machine

6 [uncountable] the use that you can get from a vehicle or machine; the state of being usedThat computer gave us very good service.The ship will be taken out of service within two years.7 [countable, uncountable] an examination of a vehicle or machine followed by any work that is necessary to keep it operating wella service engineer (British English) I had taken the car in for a service. (North American English) for service see also after-sales service

skills/help

8 [usually plural] (formal) the particular skills or help that a person is able to offerservice (of somebody) You need the services of a good lawyer.service (as somebody/something) He offered his services as a driver.

army/navy/air force

9 [countable, usually plural, uncountable] the army, the navy and the air force; the work done by people in themMost of the boys went straight into the services.He saw service in North Africa.a service family see also active service, military service, national service

religious ceremony

10 [countable] a religious ceremonymorning/evening serviceto hold/attend a servicea funeral/marriage/memorial, etc. service

bus/train

11 [countable, usually singular] a bus, train, etc. that goes regularly to a particular place at a particular timethe cancellation of the 10.15 service to Glasgow

on motorway

12 services [singular + singular or plural verb] (British English) a place beside a motorway where you can stop for petrol, a meal, the toilets, etcmotorway servicesIt's five miles to the next services. see also service area, service station

in tennis

13 [countable] an act of hitting the ball in order to start playing; the way that you hit it

Synonym

serveIt's your service (= your turn to start playing).Her service has improved.

set of plates, etc.

14 [countable] a complete set of plates, dishes, etc. that match each othera tea service (= cups, saucers, a teapot and plates, for serving tea) see also dinner service

being servant

15 [uncountable] (old-fashioned) the state or position of being a servantto be in/go into service (= to be/become a servant)

of official document

16 [uncountable] (law) the formal giving of an official document, etc. to somebodythe service of a demand for payment

Idioms

at the service of somebody/something

at somebody's service

completely available for somebody to use or to help somebody

Health care must be at the service of all who need it. (formal or humorous) If you need anything, I am at your service.

be of service (to somebody)

(formal) to be useful or helpfulCan I be of service to anyone?

do somebody a/no service

(formal) to do something that is helpful/not helpful to somebodyShe was doing herself no service by remaining silent.

more at press somebody/something into service at press verb

Usage note: ReligionBeing religiousbelieve in God/Christ/Allah/free will/predestination/heaven and hell/an afterlife/reincarnationbe/become a believer/an atheist/an agnostic/a Christian/Muslim/Hindu/Buddhist, etc.convert to/practise/(especially US) practice a religion/Buddhism/Catholicism/Christianity/Islam/Judaism, etc.go to church/(North American English) temple (= the synagogue)go to the local church/mosque/synagogue/gurdwarabelong to a church/a religious communityjoin/enter the church/a convent/a monastery/a religious sect/the clergy/the priesthoodpraise/worship/obey/serve/glorify GodCelebrations and ritualattend/hold/conduct/lead a serviceperform a ceremony/a rite/a ritual/a baptism/the Hajj/a mitzvahcarry out/perform a sacred/burial/funeral/fertility/purification ritego on/make a pilgrimagecelebrate Christmas/Easter/Eid/Ramadan/Hanukkah/Passover/Diwaliobserve/break the Sabbath/a fast/Ramadandeliver/preach/hear a sermonlead/address the congregationsay/recite a prayer/blessingReligious texts and ideaspreach/proclaim/spread the word of God/the Gospel/the message of Islamstudy/follow the dharma/the teachings of Buddharead/study/understand/interpret scripture/the Bible/the Koran/the gospel/the Torahbe based on/derive from divine revelationcommit/consider something heresy/sacrilegeReligious belief and experienceseek/find/gain enlightenment/wisdomstrengthen/lose your faithkeep/practise/practice/abandon the faithsave/purify/lose your soulobey/follow/keep/break/violate a commandment/Islamic law/Jewish lawbe/accept/do God's willreceive/experience divine graceachieve/attain enlightenment/salvation/nirvanaundergo a conversion/rebirth/reincarnationhear/answer a prayercommit/confess/forgive a sindo/perform penance

Usage note: RestaurantsEating outeat (lunch/dinner)/dine/meet at/in a restaurantgo (out)/take somebody (out) for lunch/dinner/a mealhave a meal with somebodymake/have a reservation (in/under the name of Yamada)reserve/(especially British English) book a table for sixask for/request a table for two/a table by the windowIn the restaurantwait to be seatedshow somebody to their tablesit in the corner/by the window/at the bar/at the counterhand somebody/give somebody the menu/wine listopen/read/study/peruse the menuthe restaurant has a three-course set menu/a children's menu/an extensive wine listtaste/sample/try the winethe waiter takes your orderorder/choose/have the soup of the day/one of the specials/the house (British English) speciality/(especially North American English) specialtyserve/finish the first course/the starter/the main course/dessert/coffeecomplain about the food/the service/your mealenjoy your mealPayingpay/ask for (especially British English) the bill/(North American English) the checkpay for/treat somebody to dinner/lunch/the mealservice is (not) includedgive somebody/leave (somebody) a tip