self-service

noun

self-ser·​vice ˈself-ˈsər-vəs 

: 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

Speaking to local news outlet WREG, Memphis police said Cross entered the store with another woman, with the pair then using an old watch bar code battery to scan a number of items at a self-service machine for just $1 each. —Josh Hammer, Newsweek, 14 Feb. 2025

The company continues to focus on expanding its digital payment and software services, with a commitment to innovation in self-service commerce solutions. —Quartz Intelligence Newsroom, Quartz, 6 Feb. 2025

For those arriving at the property by car, Forth has valet parking for guests starting at $50 per night, while self-service parking is $30 per night. —Keyaira Boone, Travel + Leisure, 4 Feb. 2025

The City of Oakley has announced the opening of a self-service sandbag station for residents. —Bay City News Service, The Mercury News, 29 Dec. 2024

Word History

First Known Use

1913, in the meaning defined above

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