<p><strong>Noun</strong></p><ul><li>the state or quality of being useful; usefulness: This chemical has no utility as an agricultural fertilizer.</li><li>something useful; a useful thing.</li><li>a public service, as a system to provide water or electricity, a railroad line, a cell tower network, or the like.</li><li>often utilities.</li><li>a useful or advantageous factor or feature: the relative utilities of a religious or a secular education.</li><li>(Economics) the capacity of a commodity or a service to satisfy some human want.</li><li>the principle and end of the ethical doctrine of utilitarianism; well-being or happiness; that which is conducive to the happiness and well-being of the greatest number.</li><li>(Computers) a piece of software used to perform standard operations involved in managing and maintaining the system itself, such as backing up data, copying data from one drive to another, restoring corrupted files, etc.: The suite includes a minimal set of utilities, including an encryption wizard for encrypting and decrypting personal files.</li><li>an app for a smartphone, such as a calculator, compass, etc., performing one simple function used in the course of carrying out some other activity: The measuring app and other utilities are all accessed in one place on your phone screen.</li><li>utilities, stocks or bonds of public utilities.</li><li>a grade of beef immediately below commercial.</li></ul><p><strong>Adjective</strong></p><ul><li>(of domestic animals) raised or kept as a potentially profitable product rather than for show or as pets: utility livestock.</li><li>utility breeds; utility livestock.</li><li>having or made for a number of useful or practical purposes rather than a single, specialized one: a utility knife.</li><li>designed chiefly for use or service rather than beauty, high quality, or the like: utility furniture.</li><li>a utility vehicle; utility furniture.</li></ul>