Definition Definition

utility - Meaning and Examples

Meaning of 'utility' (Webster Dictionary)

1 . Utility [ n.]
- The quality or state of being useful; usefulness; production of good; profitableness to some valuable end; as, the utility of manure upon land; the utility of the sciences; the utility of medicines.
- Adaptation to satisfy the desires or wants; intrinsic value. See Note under Value, 2.
- Happiness; the greatest good, or happiness, of the greatest number, -- the foundation of utilitarianism.

Meaning of 'utility' (Princeton's WordNet)

1 . utility [ n]
Meaning (1):
- (computer science) a program designed for general support of the processes of a computer
Example in sentence:
  • a computer system provides utility programs to perform the tasks needed by most users
Meaning (2):
- the service (electric power or water or transportation) provided by a public utility
Example in sentence:
  • all the utilities were lost after the hurricane;
  • the cost of utilities never decreases
Meaning (3):
- 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
Example in sentence:
  • the price of the house included all utilities
4 . utility [ s]
Meaning (4):
- capable of substituting in any of several positions on a team
Example in sentence:
  • a utility infielder