1. 1. Employment in duties or work for another, as for a government: has been in the company's service for 15 years.
   2. A government branch or department and its employees: the diplomatic service.
2. 1. The armed forces of a nation: joined the service right after college.
   2. A branch of the armed forces of a nation.
3. The performance of work or duties for a superior or as a servant: found the butler's service to be excellent.
4. 1. Work done for others as an occupation or business: has done service for us as a consultant.
   2. An act or a variety of work done for others, especially for pay: offers a superior service to that of his competitors; provides full catering services.
5. A department or branch of a hospital staff that provides specified patient care: the anesthesiology service.
6. Installation, maintenance, or repairs provided or guaranteed by a dealer or manufacturer: a dealer with full parts and service.
7. A facility providing the public with the use of something, such as water or transportation.
8. 1. Assistance; help: was of great service to him during his illness.
   2. An act of assistance or benefit; a favor: My friend did me a service in fixing the door.
9. 1. Active devotion to God, as through good works or prayer.
   2. A religious rite.
10. 1. The serving of food or the manner in which it is served.
    2. A set of dishes or utensils: a silver tea service.
11. Sports. The act, manner, or right of serving in many court games; a serve.
12. Copulation with a female animal. Used of male animals, especially studs.
13. Law. The serving of a writ or summons.
14. The material, such as cord, used in binding or wrapping rope.
15. An answering service.

1. To make fit for use; adjust, repair, or maintain: service a car.
2. To provide services to.
3. To make interest payments on (a debt).
4. 1. To copulate with (a female animal). Used of a male animal, especially studs.
   2. Slang. To have sex with.

1. Of or relating to the armed forces of a country.
2. Intended for use in supplying or serving: a service elevator; the service entrance.
3. Offering repairs or maintenance: a service guarantee; a road service area.
4. Offering services to the public in response to need or demand: a service industry.

at (someone's) service

1. Ready to help or be of use.

1. To be ready to help or be useful.

[Middle English, from Old French, from Latin servitium, slavery, from servus, slave.]

USAGE NOTE   Aside from specialized senses in finance (service a debt) and animal breeding (service a mare), the verb service is used principally in the sense "to repair or maintain": service the washing machine. In the sense "to supply goods or services to," serve is the correct choice: One radio network serves three states.

The American Heritage® Dictionary of the English Language, Fourth Edition Copyright © 2007, 2000 by Houghton Mifflin Company. Updated in 2009. Published by Houghton Mifflin Company. All rights reserved.