public utility company
1
2.9
- noun
- Specialized
- The public utility company ensures that all residents have access to clean water and electricity.
Examples
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Of course, the greenies are blaming the evil, greedy power companies for the higher rates and are even trying to change the power company in my county over to a public utility company.
Blog text (22) -
Most consumers are not aware that public utility companies are required to provide a notice to ratepayers of all rate increase requests made to the CPUC, and we, the ratepayers, are allowed to respond to these requests.
Blog text (22) -
Many people depend on the public utility company for essential services like gas and electricity.
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Residents complained to the public utility company about the recent increase in their electricity bills.
Synonyms
235
3.3
A service that supplies water, gas, or electricity to homes
18
3.2
An organization that provides essential services like water or electricity and is regulated by the government
1
4.4
A company that provides essential services like water or electricity and must follow government rules
How Big
56
4.4
- Specialized
1
2.9
Surface Forms
Morphology
The meaning is directly and predictably composed from 'public' (nonprivate), 'utility' (public service like water/electricity), and 'company' (an organization), yielding an organization that provides essential public services. This is a straightforward noun-noun composition common across languages, so a B1 learner who knows the constituents will readily infer the MWE meaning.
Etymology
Public utility company comes from the simple image of one business bringing water, electricity or gas to a whole town. The word utility means a 'useful service', public means 'for everyone', and company is a business, so a public utility company is a business that supplies essential services to the public and is often watched by the government.