–noun

1.	an act of helpful activity; help; aid: to do someone a service.

2.	the supplying or supplier of utilities or commodities, as water, electricity, or gas, required or demanded by the public.

3.	the providing or a provider of accommodation and activities required by the public, as maintenance, repair, etc.: The manufacturer guarantees service and parts.

4.	the organized system of apparatus, appliances, employees, etc., for supplying some accommodation required by the public: a television repair service.

5.	the supplying or a supplier of public communication and transportation: telephone service; bus service.

6.	the performance of duties or the duties performed as or by a waiter or servant; occupation or employment as a waiter or servant.

7.	employment in any duties or work for a person, organization, government, etc.

8.	a department of public employment, an administrative division of a government, or the body of public servants in it: the diplomatic service.

9.	the duty or work of public servants 3e8 .

10.	the serving of a sovereign, state, or government in some official capacity.

11.	Military. a. the armed forces: in the service. b. a branch of the armed forces, as the army or navy: Which service were you in during the war?

12.	Ordnance. the actions required in loading and firing a cannon: service of the piece.

13.	Often, services. the performance of any duties or work for another; helpful or professional activity: medical services.

14.	something made or done by a commercial organization for the public benefit and without regard to direct profit: Certain books are published at a loss as a public service.

15.	Also called divine service. public religious worship according to prescribed form and order.

16.	a ritual or form prescribed for public worship or for some particular occasion: the marriage service.

17.	the serving of God by obedience, piety, etc.: voluntary service.

18.	a musical setting of the sung portions of a liturgy.

19.	a set of dishes, utensils, etc., for general table use or for particular use: a tea service; service for eight.

20.	answering service.

21.	Law. the serving of a process or writ upon a person.

22.	Nautical. tarred spun yarn or other small stuff for covering the exterior of a rope.

23.	(in tennis, badminton, handball, etc.) a. the act or manner of putting the ball or shuttlecock into play; serve. b. the ball or shuttlecock as put into play.

24.	the mating of a female animal with the male.

–adjective

25.	of service; useful.

26.	of, pertaining to, or used by servants, delivery people, etc., or in serving food: service stairs; the service pieces in a set of dishes.

27.	supplying aids or services rather than products or goods: Medicine is one of the service professions.

28.	supplying maintenance and repair: He operates a service center for electrical appliances.

29.	of, for, or pertaining to the armed forces of a country or one of them: a service academy.

30.	charged for providing service: a service fee of 15 percent on the restaurant check.

31.	providing, authorizing, or guaranteeing service: a service industry; a service contract.

–verb (used with object)

32.	to make fit for use; repair; restore to condition for service: to service an automobile.

33.	to supply with aid, information, or other incidental services.

34.	(of a male animal) to mate with (a female animal).

35.	Finance. to pay off (a debt) over a period of time, as by meeting periodic interest payments.

—Idioms

36.	at someone's service, ready to be of help or use to someone; at one's disposal: You will have an English-speaking guide at your service.

37.	be of service, to be helpful or useful: If we can be of service, do not hesitate to call.