utility
US /juːˈtɪl.ə.t̬i/
UK /juːˈtɪl.ə.t̬i/
1.
the state of being useful, profitable, or beneficial
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The utility of this tool is evident in its versatility.
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We need to assess the practical utility of the new system.
2.
a public service provided by a public utility company, such as electricity, water, or gas
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The monthly utility bill includes charges for electricity and water.
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Many homes in the area rely on solar power instead of traditional utilities.
3.
a company that provides a public service such as electricity, water, or gas
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The local utility announced a rate increase for next year.
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Contact your utility provider if you have a power outage.
4.
a computer program or feature designed for a specific task, often related to system maintenance or enhancement
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I used a disk cleanup utility to free up space on my hard drive.
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The operating system comes with several built-in utilities for managing files.
1.
designed for practical use rather than beauty
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The furniture in the office is purely utility, focusing on function over form.
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He wore a simple utility jacket for his outdoor work.