public utility
8
3.2
- noun
- /ˈpʌblɪk juːˈtɪləti/
- Specialized
- The local public utility provides water and electricity to all residents in the area.
- public utility commissions
- public utility regulation
- public utility services
Loading YouTube…
Watch on YouTubeBut we have the Phyllis facility by which we can reach out to our regulators, our legislators, our board of directors of our Public Utilities.
- But we have the Phyllis facility by which we can reach out to our regulators, our legislators, our board of directors of our Public Utilities.
- Well, in a way, China has made the great socialist Marxist advantage in keeping money is a public utility.
Examples
-
Regulations are in place to ensure that the public utility delivers essential services at reasonable prices.
-
Many cities rely on a public utility to ensure that transportation services remain accessible and efficient.
-
You own companies that regulate public utilities.
-
We had to repair hospitals and public utilities.
-
A few comments then are made about the problems of environmentalism and public utility regulation.
Academic text (1992) -
Since U.S. public utilities routinely run credit checks, this need not involve a significant loss of privacy.
Academic text (1998) -
Deregulation of financial institutions, as well as of transportation and public utilities, began in the United States.
Academic text (1994) -
For the people of Sri Lanka, this meant privatization of public utilities such as transport and health care services.
Academic text (2006) -
Because of this monopoly, utilities are regulated by state agencies, usually called public utility commissions.
Academic text (1994) -
Similarly, various schemes of partial deregulation, such as freeing electricity generation, are proposed for public utilities.
Academic text (1992)
Synonyms
217
3.3
A service that supplies water, gas, or electricity to homes
A company that supplies water, electricity, or gas and is run under government rules
A company that provides essential services like water or electricity and must follow government rules
How Big
3
3.9
- Specialized
- Specialized
8
3.2
521
3.5
217
3.3
Surface Forms
Morphology
The meaning ('an organization providing essential services to the public') is directly and compositionally derived from 'public' (for everyone) + 'utility' (a service or service provider such as water or electricity). This modifier–head combination follows a regular English pattern and is cross-linguistically common, so a B1 learner who knows both constituents should be able to infer the MWE's meaning.
Etymology
Public utility combines public (for everyone) and utility (a useful service); imagine pipes and wires bringing water and electricity into every home. That's why public utility means a company that provides 'essential services' to people and is often controlled by the government.