public utility

noun

: a business organization (such as an electric company) performing a public service and subject to special governmental regulation

Examples of public utility in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
The registry is a free public utility tool that lets people create a record of how their name and likeness may be used by AI. — Corbin Bolies, Variety, 29 June 2026 Like it or not, the era of regulated generation dominated by public utilities is largely a thing of the past. — David Blackmon, Forbes.com, 23 June 2026 Three years after a civil grand jury found a public utility was not charging a country club enough for water, the utility is still doing so, a new report found. — Theresa Clift, Sacbee.com, 26 June 2026 In addition, to avoid a sudden loss of tax revenues, Elliott said that public utilities could enter into a payment in lieu of tax agreement with their local municipality. — John Moritz, Hartford Courant, 20 June 2026 See All Example Sentences for public utility

Word History

First Known Use

1895, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of public utility was in 1895

Rhymes for public utility

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Browse Nearby Words

public transportation
public utility
public vessel
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Cite this Entry

“Public utility.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/public%20utility. Accessed 7 Jul. 2026.

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Kids Definition

public utility

noun
: a business organization performing a public service and subject to special governmental regulation

Legal Definition

public utility

noun
: a business organization (as an electric company) performing a public service and subject to special government regulation

More from Merriam-Webster on public utility

Nglish: Translation of public utility for Spanish Speakers

Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about public utility

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