utility

plural utilities

1. countableuncountableThe state or condition of being useful; usefulness.

   "The profession has its utility, but I should be sorry to see any friend of mine belonging to it."

   1817 (date written), [Jane Austen], “III”, in Persuasion; published in Northanger Abbey: And Persuasion. […], volume (please specify |volume=III or IV), London: John Murray, […], 20 December 1817 (indicated as 1818), →OCLC

2. countableuncountableSomething that is useful.

   Undoubtedly it can be said that the humble 0-6-0 has been the backbone for general service, or general utility on British railways right from their earliest days, and is likely to remain so.

   1945 November and December, H. C. Casserley, “Random Reflections on British Locomotive Types—1”, in Railway Magazine, page 320

3. countableuncountableeconomicsThe ability of a commodity to satisfy needs or wants; the satisfaction experienced by the consumer of that commodity.
4. countableuncountablehuman sciencesWell-being, satisfaction, pleasure, or happiness.
5. countableuncountablebusinessA commodity or service provided on a continuous basis by a physical infrastructure network, such as electricity, water supply or sewerage.

   The complex includes the usual utilities (gas and electricity) and amenities like wifi and a gym (toilets with toiletries).

   2 more examples

   Elsewhere, utility diversion works are still scheduled to continue, with work to move a gas main on Drummond Street set to begin in early 2025.

   2025 February 19, Chris Howe, “Euston: a work in progress”, in RAIL, number 1029, page 46

   The 'slab track' system negates the need to divert utilities such as gas pipes and telecoms cables by only digging down to a depth of 30cm.

   2025 June 25, “Network News: Public trials of Coventry's Very Light Rail system”, in RAIL, number 1038, page 10

   Synonyms: service

6. broadlycountableuncountablebusinessA natural or legal monopoly distributer of such a utility; or, the securities of such a provider.
7. countableuncountablecomputingA software program other than a game; one that is useful or creative rather than merely entertaining.

   a graphics utility; a music utility

8. countableuncountablecomputingA software program designed to perform a single task or a small range of tasks, often to help manage and tune computer hardware, an operating system, or application software.

   Holonyms: app, application, program

   2 more examples

   I've bought a new disk utility that can recover deleted files.

   The system includes an 8080 and a Z80 assembler, a Tektronix format downloader and other utilities.

   1982, InfoWorld, volume 4, number 10, page 35

9. countableuncountablehobbiesThe ability to play multiple positions.
10. AustraliaNew ZealandcountableuncountableA coupé utility, or ute; an automobile with an open tray or bed behind the passenger cabin.

    Tim Archer got into the utility and drove[.] The car was a 1946 Chevrolet, somewhat battered by four years of station use, a sturdy practical vehicle with a coupé front seat and an open truck body behind.

    1952, Nevil Shute, chapter 1, in The Far Country, Melbourne: Heinemann

1. Having to do with, or owned by, a service provider.

   utility line; utility bill

   Synonyms: usefulness, value, advantages, benefit, return, merits, virtue, note

2. Of a building or its componentscontaining or intended for any of a building’s often-utility-related commodity transport, such as pipes or wires, or converting equipment, such as furnaces, water tanks or heaters, circuit breakers, central air conditioning units, laundry facilities, etc.

   utility room; utility corridor

3. Functional rather than attractive.

   "Chocolate and cream," the standard colours of G.W.R. rolling stock for 21 years, are now being replaced by an all-over utility coating of reddish-brown. This is the third time that a uniform brown has been adopted as the standard livery of G.W.R. carriages.

   1943 March and April, “G.W.R. Rolling Stock Colours”, in Railway Magazine, page 106