self-service

noun

self-ser·​vice ˈself-ˈsər-vəs How to pronounce self-service (audio)
: the serving of oneself (as in a restaurant or gas station) with goods or services to be paid for at a cashier's desk or by using a coin-operated mechanism or a credit or debit card
self-service adjective

Examples of self-service in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Prompting may be the ultimate stage of self-service, no-coding environments, which have been evolving for decades now. Joe McKendrick, Forbes.com, 28 June 2025 Restaurants would be allowed to have self-service stations so that patrons could grab their own single-use food service items, according to the bill. Ashley J. Dimella, FOXNews.com, 27 June 2025 Walker pitched the idea, rallied support for it and volunteered over 100 hours of labor to create the library, a self-service kiosk that stands outside across from Casa de Mañana’s rear entrance on Coast Boulevard South. Noah Lyons, San Diego Union-Tribune, 20 June 2025 With a focus on service, the facility also features spacious glass kennels, outdoor space, self-service bath stations, and enrichment or cuddle time. Kiersten Hacker, Baltimore Sun, 17 June 2025 See All Example Sentences for self-service

Word History

First Known Use

1913, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of self-service was in 1913

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Cite this Entry

“Self-service.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/self-service. Accessed 2 Jul. 2025.

Kids Definition

self-service

noun
self-ser·​vice
ˈself-ˈsər-vəs
: the serving of oneself (as in a restaurant or gas station) with things to be paid for at a cashier's desk or by means of a mechanism that is operated by coins
self-service adjective

More from Merriam-Webster on self-service

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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