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 Changes like those made in Senate Bill 291 represent the existing whack-a-mole approach to regulating utilities across America, while a growing number of voices are calling for public utilities commissions and lawmakers to make fundamental changes to how utilities bill customers. The Denver Post Editorial Board, The Denver Post, 5 Feb. 2024 There is arguably public utility to knowing her CO2 production as climate change rages and her fans, essentially, fund her flights. Mankaprr Conteh, Rolling Stone, 24 Feb. 2024 The safety and enforcement division alleged PG&E violated seven CPUC public utility codes. Ishani Desai, Sacramento Bee, 25 Jan. 2024 In Jackson, Mississippi, 12,000 customers, largely in the west and south areas of the city, saw low to no water pressure at the height of last week's freeze, according to Jackson's public utility service, JXN Water. Leah Sarnoff, ABC News, 24 Jan. 2024 The other three are taxes on sales at Nationals Park; public utilities; and rent that the team pays D.C. for the ballpark. Andrew Golden, Washington Post, 2 Jan. 2024 But port authorities, business leaders and public utilities have expressed concern surrounding the feasibility of purchasing the necessary quantities of zero-emission vehicles and locomotives, in addition to installing the infrastructure, including electric charging stations for trucks. Tony Briscoe, Los Angeles Times, 28 Apr. 2023 Pine Tree Power proponents say a public utility can save ratepayers billions on such investments, as its goal would be financing projects as cheaply as possible rather than generating profits for shareholders. Evan Halper, Washington Post, 4 Nov. 2023 In its July 11 filing with the State Corporation Commission — a Virginia agency with regulatory authority over public utilities, insurance, railroads and other areas of state economic interest — the company cited a decrease in use of the road as drivers opt for cheaper alternate routes. Heidi Pérez-Moreno, Washington Post, 22 July 2023

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'public utility.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

Word History

First Known Use

1895, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of public utility was in 1895

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 29 Mar. 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

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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