public utility
8
3.2
- noun
- /ˈpʌblɪk juːˈtɪləti/
- Specialized
:
servicio público
- The local public utility provides water and electricity to all residents in the area.
- public utility commissions
- public utility regulation
- public utility services
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.
- 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
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Regulations are in place to ensure that the public utility delivers essential services at reasonable prices.
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Many cities rely on a public utility to ensure that transportation services remain accessible and efficient.
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You own companies that regulate public utilities.
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We had to repair hospitals and public utilities.
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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.