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public utility
noun
: a business organization (such as an electric company) performing a public service and subject to special governmental regulation
Examples of public utility in a Sentence
Recent Examples on the Web
In addition, the recent DARPA AI Cyber Challenge showed that developers could create new generative AI systems to safeguard critical software that undergirds everything from financial systems and hospitals to public utilities.
—Sharon Goldman, Fortune, 23 Oct. 2024
This business model differs significantly from regulated utilities, where allowable returns on equity are set by public utility commissions.
—Dan Irvine, Forbes, 3 Oct. 2024
While commercial interests saw radio as a means to generate profit, a growing chorus of advocates viewed radio as a public utility that should be made to serve the public interest.
—CBS News, 1 Oct. 2024
The federal government is the largest landholder in the country, and state and local governments, as well as entities like transit agencies, school districts and public utilities.
—Swapna Venugopal Ramaswamy, USA TODAY, 16 July 2024
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Word History
First Known Use
1895, in the meaning defined above
Dictionary Entries Near public utility
Cite this Entry
“Public utility.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/public%20utility. Accessed 5 Nov. 2024.
Kids Definition
public utility
noun
: a business organization performing a public service and subject to special governmental regulation
Legal Definition
public utility
noun
: a business organization (as an electric company) performing a public service and subject to special government regulation
More from Merriam-Webster on public utility
Nglish: Translation of public utility for Spanish Speakers
Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about public utility
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