Definition of "utility" in English

noun

1. The state or condition of being useful; usefulness.

2. Something that is useful.

3. (economics) The ability of a commodity to satisfy needs or wants; the satisfaction experienced by the consumer of that commodity.

4. (philosophy) Well-being, satisfaction, pleasure, or happiness.

5. (business) A commodity or service provided on a continuous basis by a physical infrastructure network, such as electricity, water supply or sewerage.

   • The complex includes the usual utilities (gas and electricity) and amenities like wifi and a gym (toilets with toiletries).

6. (business, finance, by extension) A natural or legal monopoly distributer of such a utility; or, the securities of such a provider.

7. (computing) A software program other than a game; one that is useful or creative rather than merely entertaining.

   • a graphics utility; a music utility

8. (computing) A software program designed to perform a single task or a small range of tasks, often to help manage and tune computer hardware, an operating system, or application software.

   • Holonyms: app, application, program
   • I've bought a new disk utility that can recover deleted files.

9. (sports) The ability to play multiple positions.

10. (Australia, New Zealand) A coupé utility, or ute; an automobile with an open tray or bed behind the passenger cabin.

adjective

1. Having to do with, or owned by, a service provider.

   • utility line; utility bill

2. (Of a building or its components) containing or intended for any of a building’s often-utility-related commodity transport, such as pipes or wires, or converting equipment, such as furnaces, water tanks or heaters, circuit breakers, central air conditioning units, laundry facilities, etc.

   • utility room; utility corridor

3. Functional rather than attractive.