Definition, synonyms and related words
plural of utility
"The storm knocked out several utilities, leaving our neighborhood without power and water for days."
In plain English: Utilities are basic services like water, electricity, and gas that people need to live in their homes.
"The monthly bill for water, electricity, and gas is often called utilities."
Derived from the Latin utilitas, meaning usefulness, this term originally referred to public services or amenities that are useful to the community. It entered English in the mid-19th century to describe essential infrastructure like water and gas supplies.