service entrance
10
3.4
- noun
- /ˈsɜrvɪs ˈɛntrəns/
- Specialized
:
entrada de servicio
- Staff members are required to use the service entrance at all times.
- Check the service entrance
- go to the service entrance
- building's service entrance
Examples
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Visitors are not allowed to enter through the service entrance to maintain security.
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The delivery truck parked beside the service entrance for easy unloading.
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We'll use the service entrance in back.
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The key to the front door also works here for the service entrance.
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Time to use the service entrance.
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To the service entrance at the south end!
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But the service entrance to number 9 is out front.
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The service entrance is at the side.
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I'll use the service entrance.
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We'll have to sneak in through the service entrance.
Synonyms
1
3.5
A door at the back used by workers for deliveries and trash
1
6.7
A separate door at the back or side used by staff and for deliveries
How Private
Surface Forms
Morphology
The meaning of 'service entrance' is directly inferable from combining 'service' (work/assistance or things done for a building) with 'entrance' (a way in): it denotes an entrance used for service, deliveries, or staff rather than the main public door. This modifier+noun compounding is a common, cross-linguistic pattern and a B1 learner who knows both constituents will very likely understand the intended function.
Etymology
Service entrance comes from the simple picture of workers and delivery people using a separate door at the back of a building. Because the service door is for 'staff' or 'deliveries' and not for 'guests', the phrase means an entrance used by staff or for deliveries rather than the main entrance.