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service industry

service industry

19 3.0
Part of the economy that provides services instead of making things, like hotels or hospitals
  • noun
  • /ˈsɜrvɪs ˈɪndəstri/
translation icon : sector de servicios
  • As such, healthcare should be assessed, analyzed, and managed like other service industries.
  • the food service industry
  • the financial services industry
  • service industry jobs

Now look at the service industry, look at food.

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Examples

  • Welcome to the British service industry.

  • I have been working in the food service industry for a little over 12 years now.

    Blog text (4)
  • Someone with more than 20 years experience in the food service industry.

  • Well, we do require some experience or some previous training in the service industry and at least one reference.

  • Before you, uh, get on with your career in the service industry, let's set the record straight.

  • We'll talk more about career opportunities in the food-service industry.

  • In addition, most U.S. workers, including low-wage workers, are in service industries.

    Academic text (2002)
  • Currently, six of ten inhabitants work in the service industries, much of this change fomented by tourism.

    Academic text (1998)
  • Rather, Taiwan firms are now investing heavily in other areas such as high-tech, the service industry, and intellectual property.

    Academic text (2002)
  • Many people find rewarding careers in the service industry, helping customers every day.

Synonyms

nonmanufacturing
vsservice industry
  • Specialized
6.5

The part of the economy that is made of services and jobs, not factory goods

is the common term that names sectors like hospitality and education

How Big

service industry
19 3.0
local agency
6 3.0

Surface Forms

Morphology

service + industry

The meaning 'the part of the economy that provides services' is directly and compositionally derived from 'service' (services provided) modifying 'industry' (sector of economic activity). This noun-noun construction is cross-linguistically common (e.g., Spanish 'industria de servicios') and follows a predictable pattern that a B1 learner who knows both words can readily understand.

Etymology

Service industry comes from the words service, meaning helping people, and industry, meaning business work. It creates a simple picture of businesses whose job is to 'provide services' like hotels, shops, and hospitals rather than make things, so it means 'the part of the economy that provides services'.