utility

adj 1: used of beef; usable but inferior [syn: {utility(a)}, {utility-grade}]

2: capable of substituting in any of several positions on a

team; "a utility infielder" [syn: {utility(a)}, {substitute(a)}]

n 1: a company that performs a public service; subject to

government regulation [syn: {public utility}, {public-service

corporation}]

2: the quality of being of practical use [syn: {usefulness}]

[ant: {inutility}, {inutility}]

3: the service provided by a utility company; "the cost of

utilities never decreases"

4: (computer science) a program designed for general support of

the processes of a computer; "a computer system provides

utility programs to perform the tasks needed by most

users" [syn: {utility program}, {service program}]

5: a unit composed of one or more pieces of equipment connected

to or part of a structure and designed to provide a

service such as heat or light or water or sewage disposal:

"the price of the house included all utilities"