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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
Many exempt businesses — such as large companies, banks, credit unions, tax-exempt entities and public utilities — already furnish similar data.
—Greg Iacurci, CNBC, 9 Dec. 2024
Punishment for injury to a public utility is increased from Class 1 misdemeanor to Class C felony.
—Alan Wooten | The Center Square, Washington Examiner - Political News and Conservative Analysis About Congress, the President, and the Federal Government, 2 Dec. 2024
Some, like Otis, have built their own networks, treating internet access like a public utility.
—Cameron Pugh, The Christian Science Monitor, 19 Nov. 2024
Energy Northwest, a consortium of state public utilities, will have the option to add up to eight 80 MW modules, resulting in a total capacity up to 960 MWs, or enough to power the equivalent of more than 770,000 U.S. homes.
—Timothy Gardner, USA TODAY, 17 Oct. 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 22 Dec. 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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