English Reference
noun · verb

service

n. · v.
US /ˈsɝvəs/ UK /sˈɜːvɪs/ ser·vice UK spelling serviced

  1. 01 A2 Elementary

    n.the act of helping or doing work for someone.

    n.an act of assistance or benefit provided to another party.

    Simple

    The hotel staff provided excellent service during our entire stay.

    In context

    The company is renowned for its commitment to customer service, often going beyond contractual obligations to ensure client satisfaction.

  2. 02 A2 Elementary

    n.a system that provides something necessary for the public, like water, electricity, or transport.

    n.a system or organisation that provides an essential public commodity or facility.

    Simple

    Bus services in the city are usually very reliable during the week.

    In context

    The government invested heavily in expanding social services to support the ageing population in rural districts.

  3. 03 B1 Intermediate Religion

    n.a formal religious ceremony.

    n.a formal act of public worship or a religious rite.

    Simple

    We attended a beautiful memorial service for our late professor.

    In context

    The Sunday morning service was conducted in the cathedral, drawing a large congregation from the surrounding parishes.

  4. 04 B1 Intermediate Military

    n.work done as a member of the army, navy, or air force.

    n.employment in the armed forces of a country.

    Simple

    He retired after twenty years of service in the navy.

    In context

    Many young citizens were called up for national service during the period of heightened geopolitical tension.

  5. 05 B1 Intermediate Technical

    n.the act of checking and repairing a machine or vehicle.

    n.the periodic inspection and maintenance of a vehicle or machine to ensure it remains in good working order.

    Simple

    My car is due for a service before we go on our road trip.

    In context

    The technician recommended a full service of the heating system to prevent a breakdown during the winter months.

  6. 06 B2 Upper Intermediate Sport

    n.the act of hitting the ball to start a point in games like tennis.

    n.the act of putting the ball or shuttlecock into play in a court game.

    Simple

    Her powerful service made it very difficult for her opponent to return the ball.

    In context

    The player struggled with his service throughout the first set, committing several double faults at crucial moments.

  7. 07 C1 Advanced Formal Cooking

    n.a complete set of matching plates, cups, and other items for a meal.

    n.a complete set of matching crockery or cutlery required for serving a meal.

    Simple

    They received a fine china dinner service as a wedding present.

    In context

    The museum displayed an eighteenth-century silver tea service, intricately engraved with the family's coat of arms.

    setcrockery
  8. 08 C1 Advanced Technical Computing

    n.a program or task that runs in the background on a computer to help other programs.

    n.a software function or set of functions that can be reused by different applications.

    Simple

    The cloud service allows users to store their photos online automatically.

    In context

    The system architecture relies on several micro-services that communicate via a secure internal network.

  9. 09 B1 Intermediate Technical

    v.to check and repair a vehicle or machine.

    v.to perform regular maintenance or repairs on a vehicle or piece of equipment.

    Simple

    You should have your boiler serviced every year to keep it safe.

    In context

    The airline services its fleet at a dedicated facility to ensure all safety regulations are strictly met.

  10. 10 C1 Advanced AcademicFormal Economics

    v.to pay the interest on a loan or debt.

    v.to make payments of interest and principal on a debt.

    Simple

    The country struggled to service its national debt as the economy slowed down.

    In context

    High interest rates made it increasingly difficult for the corporation to service its outstanding loans while maintaining research and development spending.

  11. 11 C2 Proficiency VulgarSlang

    v.to have sex with someone, often for money.

    v.to perform a sexual act upon another person; often used in the context of prostitution.

    Simple

    The movie depicted a dark world where people were paid to service wealthy clients.

    In context

    The witness alleged that the club was a front for a business where staff were forced to service patrons in private rooms.

  12. 12 C1 Advanced Technical Science

    v.when a male animal mates with a female animal.

    v.to mate with a female animal; typically used of livestock in a breeding context.

    Simple

    The farmer brought in a prize bull to service the cows.

    In context

    The stud fee for a stallion to service a mare can vary significantly based on the horse's racing pedigree.

Usage service members · service at sea · service agencies

This entry
Level A2 · Elementary
Frequency Very common
Updated