Utility meaning

What does “utility” mean? Definitions, examples, synonyms and opposites.

“utility” is a noun and adjective with 8 meanings. Its most common meaning is: a company that performs a public service; subject to government regulation.

utility

noun

a company that performs a public service; subject to government regulation
Synonymspublic utility public utility company public-service corporation
the quality of being of practical use
Synonymsusefulness
Oppositesinutility
the service (electric power or water or transportation) provided by a public utility
“the cost of utilities never decreases”
“all the utilities were lost after the hurricane”
(economics) a measure that is to be maximized in any situation involving choice
(computer science) a program designed for general support of the processes of a computer
“a computer system provides utility programs to perform the tasks needed by most users”
Synonymsutility program service program
a facility composed of one or more pieces of equipment connected to or part of a structure and designed to provide a service such as heat or electricity or water or sewage disposal
“the price of the house included all utilities”

adjective

used of beef; usable but inferior
Synonymsutility-grade
capable of substituting in any of several positions on a team
“a utility infielder”
Synonymssubstitute

Source: WordNet 3.1, Princeton University

More about “utility”

✦Synonyms for utility✦Words that rhyme with utility✦Unscramble UTILITY