Topic: TRANSPORT
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| Date: | 1100-1200 |
| Language: | Old French |
| Origin: | Latin servitium 'condition of being a slave', from servus; SERVE1 |
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ser‧vice1 S1 W1
1 the official system for providing something, especially something that everyone in a country needs to have, or the official organization that provides it : the health service the postal service the police service the prison service Workers in the emergency services (=police, hospital, and the fire service) are forbidden from striking. the essential services (=the police, hospitals, fire service, and organizations that provide basic things such as water, gas, or electricity) ➔ civil service, fire service, Internal Revenue Service, Diplomatic Service, National Health Service, secret service, security service
official system/organization
[countable]SSthe health servicethe postal servicethe police servicethe prison serviceWorkers in the emergency services (=police, hospital, and the fire service) are forbidden from striking. the essential services (=the police, hospitals, fire service, and organizations that provide basic things such as water, gas, or electricity)2 a particular type of help or work that is provided by a business to customers, but not one that involves producing goods :
something provided by a company
[countable] provide/offer a service Datapost offers a delivery service to over 160 countries. Our aim is to provide the best service at the lowest price.
➔ service industryDatapost offers a delivery service to over 160 countries.Our aim is to provide the best service at the lowest price.3 the help that people who work in a shop, restaurant, bar etc give you
in a shop/restaurant/hotel
[uncountable]BBT4 the work that someone does for a person or organization, especially over a long period a long service award
work
[uncountable] also servicesa long service award services to somebody/something (=all the good work you have done for someone or something) He received an award for services to sport.
He received an award for services to sport.5 skilled work or advice from a particular type of worker who you use to help you do something
work done for somebody
services
[plural]6 something that ordinary people can be asked to do as a public duty or as a punishment : Her attacker was sentenced to 120 hours community service.
duty
jury/military/community etc service
SCLHer attacker was sentenced to 120 hours community service.7 used to talk about whether a piece of equipment, a vehicle etc is available to be used, or how long it can be used
being used
[uncountable] give good/excellent etc service (=work well and last a long time) Steel tools give good service for years.
Steel tools give good service for years.8 a formal religious ceremony, especially in church
religious ceremony
[countable]RR9 a country's military forces, especially considered as a job
army
the services
British English; the service
American EnglishPM10 help that you give to someone
help
[singular, uncountable] formal be at somebody's service (=be available to help someone, or for someone to use) My secretary is at your service.
My secretary is at your service. do somebody a service (=do something that will help someone) He did her a service by telling her the truth.
He did her a service by telling her the truth.11 an examination and repair of a machine or car to keep it working properly :
check a car/machine
[countable]D12 an act of hitting a ball through the air in order to start a game, especially in tennis : It's your service.
tennis/ball game
[countable]DSIt's your service.13 a place near a motorway where you can stop and have a meal or drink, or buy food, petrol etc [↪ service station]: How far is it to the next services?
on a motorway
services
[countable] British EnglishTTRHow far is it to the next services?14 a set of plates, bowls, cups etc that match each other
plates/cups etc
DFU [countable]15 a regular journey made by a bus, train, boat etc to a particular place at a particular time : the 8:15 service to Cambridge
bus/train/plane etc
[countable usually singular] British EnglishTTthe 8:15 service to Cambridge16BO to be working or start working as a servant in someone's house, especially in the past ➔ domestic service
be in service/go into service
British English17 when someone is given a legal document telling them that they must do something or that something is going to happen : the service of a summons
legal document
[uncountable] formalthe service of a summons18 for work you have done or help you have given : payment for services rendered
for services rendered
formalpayment for services rendered ➔ active service, lip service
