utility

adjective

1. used of beef; usable but inferior

Similar word(s): inferior

2. capable of substituting in any of several positions on a team

- a utility infielder

Similar word(s): secondary, substitute

noun

1. a company that performs a public service; subject to government regulation

Definition categories: group, service

2. the quality of being of practical use

Similar word(s): usefulness

Definition categories: attribute, quality

3. 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

Definition categories: act, service

4. (economics) a measure that is to be maximized in any situation involving choice

Definition categories: quantity, metric

5. (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

Definition categories: communication, program, programme

6. 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

Definition categories: man–made, facility, installation