utility

[yoo-til-i-tee] /yuˈtɪl ɪ ti/
noun, plural utilities.
1.
the state or quality of being useful; usefulness:
This chemical has no utility as an agricultural fertilizer.
2.
something useful; a useful thing.
3.
a public service, as a telephone or electric-light system, a streetcar or railroad line, or the like.
Compare public utility (def 1).
4.
Often, utilities. a useful or advantageous factor or feature:
the relative utilities of a religious or a secular education.
5.
Economics. the capacity of a commodity or a service to satisfy some human want.
6.
the principle and end of utilitarian ethics; well-being or happiness; that which is conducive to the happiness and well-being of the greatest number.
7.
Computers. utility program.
8.
utilities, stocks or bonds of public utilities.
9.
a grade of beef immediately below commercial.
adjective
10.
(of domestic animals) raised or kept as a potentially profitable product rather than for show or as pets:
utility breeds; utility livestock.
11.
having or made for a number of useful or practical purposes rather than a single, specialized one:
a utility knife.
12.
designed chiefly for use or service rather than beauty, high quality, or the like:
a utility vehicle; utility furniture.
Origin
1350-1400; Middle English utilite < Old French utelite < Latin ūtilitās, equivalent to ūtil(is) useful (see utile) + -itās -ity
Related forms
nonutility, noun, plural nonutilities.
Examples from the web for utilities
  • Likewise, the policy of public ownership of railroads and certain electric utilities met with unmistakable defeat.
  • Privatization of the large, state-owned utilities is nearly complete.
  • They cannot rent an apartment or get utilities turn on, they have ruined credit by missing payments on their student loan.
  • He's managed to get some side work writing for a local newspaper but that hardly pays his utilities each month.
  • To avoid such a crisis, the utilities commission is now laying a new pipeline in short, easy-to-replace sections.
  • To fund it, they began collecting money from utilities that operate nuclear power plants.
  • Turn off utilities at the main switches or valves if instructed to do so.
  • Check with your local water and energy utilities for programs available in your area.
  • Intake pipes from utilities and factories became choked with mussels.
  • While utilities race to install smart meters, some urge a simpler approach for motivating consumers to use less electricity.
British Dictionary definitions for utilities

utility

/juːˈtɪlɪtɪ/
noun (pl) -ties
1.
  1. the quality of practical use; usefulness; serviceability
  2. (as modifier): a utility fabric
2.
something useful
3.
  1. a public service, such as the bus system; public utility
  2. (as modifier): utility vehicle
4.
(economics)
  1. the ability of a commodity to satisfy human wants
  2. the amount of such satisfaction See disutility
5.
(statistics)
  1. a measure of the total benefit or disadvantage attaching to each of a set of alternative courses of action
  2. (as modifier): utility function See also expected utility, decision theory
6.
(Austral & NZ) Also called utility truck, (informal) ute. a small truck with an open body and low sides, often with a removable tarpaulin cover; pick-up
7.
a piece of computer software designed for a routine task, such as examining or copying files
Word Origin
C14: from Old French utelite, from Latin ūtilitās usefulness, from ūtī to use
Word Origin and History for utilities

utility

n.

late 14c., "fact of being useful," from Old French utilite "usefulness" (late 13c.), earlier utilitet (12c.), from Latin utilitatem (nominative utilitas) "usefulness, serviceableness, profit," from utilis "usable," from uti (see use (v.)). As a shortened form of public utility it is recorded from 1930.

Encyclopedia Article for utilities

utility

in economics, the determination of the prices of goods and services.

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