public service
noun
1
: the business of supplying a commodity (such as electricity or gas) or service (such as transportation) to any or all members of a community
2
: a service rendered in the public interest
3
: governmental employment
especially : civil service
Example Sentences
The cost of public services is on the rise. The station is running antismoking commercials as a public service. The company is heavily involved in public service. He works in public service. She has devoted her life to public service.
Recent Examples on the Web Nelson Mandela saw his birthday as an opportunity for public service, hoping to inspire the next generation to take up the baton of social justice. 
Monica Mark, The Christian Science Monitor, 22 July 2022 Its reporting won the Pulitzer Prize for public service this year. New York Times, 17 June 2022 When the Pulitzer Prizes are announced next week, the citation for public service by a newspaper — barring a last-minute reversal — will go to the Washington Post for its continuous digging into the Watergate case and related campaign scandals. Joshua Benton, The Atlantic, 9 June 2022 There are young people across the country who have a passion for public service, but can’t pursue it because of their student loan debt. Michael T. Nietzel, Forbes, 16 May 2022 For its coverage of the assault on the U.S. Capitol on Jan. 6, 2021, The Washington Post was awarded the Pulitzer Prize for public service. Bailey Schulz, USA TODAY, 9 May 2022 The Washington Post was awarded the Pulitzer Prize for public service on Monday for its coverage of the Jan. 6, 2021, insurrection at the U.S. Capitol and its aftermath. Washington Post, 9 May 2022 Thousands more people could soon have their student loan balances wiped clean as the Biden administration works to identify borrowers who are eligible for student loan forgiveness for public service. Sarah Ewall-wice, CBS News, 9 Mar. 2022 He was presented the award for his public service as a U.S. senator and vice president. Rebecca Morin, USA TODAY, 7 July 2022 See More
Monica Mark, The Christian Science Monitor, 22 July 2022 Its reporting won the Pulitzer Prize for public service this year. New York Times, 17 June 2022 When the Pulitzer Prizes are announced next week, the citation for public service by a newspaper — barring a last-minute reversal — will go to the Washington Post for its continuous digging into the Watergate case and related campaign scandals. Joshua Benton, The Atlantic, 9 June 2022 There are young people across the country who have a passion for public service, but can’t pursue it because of their student loan debt. Michael T. Nietzel, Forbes, 16 May 2022 For its coverage of the assault on the U.S. Capitol on Jan. 6, 2021, The Washington Post was awarded the Pulitzer Prize for public service. Bailey Schulz, USA TODAY, 9 May 2022 The Washington Post was awarded the Pulitzer Prize for public service on Monday for its coverage of the Jan. 6, 2021, insurrection at the U.S. Capitol and its aftermath. Washington Post, 9 May 2022 Thousands more people could soon have their student loan balances wiped clean as the Biden administration works to identify borrowers who are eligible for student loan forgiveness for public service. Sarah Ewall-wice, CBS News, 9 Mar. 2022 He was presented the award for his public service as a U.S. senator and vice president. Rebecca Morin, USA TODAY, 7 July 2022 See More Word History
First Known Use
1576, in the meaning defined at sense 2