/ Dictionary / Index U utility: Meaning and Definition of Find definitions for: u•til•i•ty Pronunciation: (y-til'i-tē), [key] — n., pl. adj. -ties, —n. the state or quality of being useful; usefulness: This chemical has no utility as an agricultural fertilizer. something useful; a useful thing. a public service, as a telephone or electric-light system, a streetcar or railroad line, or the like. Cf.(def. 1). Often,a useful or advantageous factor or feature: the relative utilities of a religious or a secular education. the capacity of a commodity or a service to satisfy some human want. the principle and end of utilitarian ethics; well-being or happiness; that which is conducive to the happiness and well-being of the greatest number. See stocks or bonds of public utilities. a grade of beef immediately below commercial. —adj. (of domestic animals) raised or kept as a potentially profitable product rather than for show or as pets: utility breeds; utility livestock. having or made for a number of useful or practical purposes rather than a single, specialized one: a utility knife. designed chiefly for use or service rather than beauty, high quality, or the like: a utility vehicle; utility furniture. Random House Unabridged Dictionary, Copyright © 1997, by Random House, Inc., on Infoplease. See also: utility (Thesaurus) utilitarianism utility man Related Content Daily Word Quiz: fervor Analogy of the Day: Today’s Analogy Spelling Bee: Today’s Spelling Bee Frequently Misspelled Words Frequently Mispronounced Words Easily Confused Words Writing & Language