services

Everyday

1. Work done for people by someone, rather than goods made (cleaning, hairdressing, banking). tree →
2. Systems that supply things everyone needs: water, electricity, buses, health care (public services). tree →
3. Emergency services: police, fire brigade, ambulance, coastguard. tree →
4. (UK) A place beside a motorway with fuel, food and toilets (motorway services). tree →
5. Religious ceremonies (church services). tree →
6. The armed forces (the services). tree →

In the lessons

In social studies and economics, «goods and services» describe what people buy and sell; jobs like doctors and teachers provide services. In safety lessons, you call the emergency services in an emergency. On road trips in the UK you stop at the services. In computing, online services are apps and websites. Phrases: emergency services, public services, goods and services, social services, at your service, motorway services.

Examples

• Police, fire and ambulance are the emergency services. tree →
• Hairdressers and plumbers sell services, not goods. tree →
• We stopped at the motorway services for a snack. tree →
• The town pays for services like libraries and bin collections. tree →
• There are two church services every Sunday. tree →
• Grandpa was in the services when he was young. tree →
• The internet company offers many online services. tree →

Note

Singular: a service. «Goods» are things you can touch; «services» are work done for you. «At your service» means «I'm ready to help you» (polite, old-fashioned).