a company that performs a public service; subject to government regulation
"The new regulations from the state utility commission will likely raise rates for our local power and water providers."
the quality of being of practical use
"The old building was condemned not for its age, but because it lacked any modern utility like running water or electricity."
the service (electric power or water or transportation) provided by a public utility
"the cost of utilities never decreases"
"all the utilities were lost after the hurricane"
(economics) a measure that is to be maximized in any situation involving choice
"When comparing different job offers, she realized her primary goal was not just higher pay but maximizing the overall utility of each potential career path."
(computer science) a program designed for general support of the processes of a computer
"a computer system provides utility programs to perform the tasks needed by most users"
a facility composed of one or more pieces of equipment connected to or part of a structure and designed to provide a service such as heat or electricity or water or sewage disposal
"the price of the house included all utilities"
The state or condition of being useful; usefulness.
"The new app's simplicity greatly enhances its utility for busy professionals who need quick access to important tools."
In plain English: Utility is how useful something is for getting a job done.
"The utility company sent a crew to fix the broken streetlight."
used of beef; usable but inferior
"The butcher marked the steak as utility grade since it was lean and tough compared to the prime cuts."
capable of substituting in any of several positions on a team
"a utility infielder"
Having to do with, or owned by, a service provider.
"The new water utility raised rates after upgrading the pipes in our neighborhood."
In plain English: Utility describes something that is useful and practical for everyday needs.
"The utility of this new app is that it helps me organize my tasks quickly."
Usage: Use utility as an adjective specifically when referring to services like electricity, water, or gas provided by public companies rather than general usefulness. This distinguishes it from the more common noun form meaning practical value in everyday life.
The word utility comes from the Latin ūtilitās, which originally meant "usefulness." It traveled into English through Middle and Old French before settling in its current form.