1. Capable of substituting in any of several positions on a team; SYN. substitute.
2. Used of beef; usable but inferior; SYN. utility-grade.

ETYM Old Eng. utilite, French utilité, Latin utilitas, from utilis useful. Related to Utile.
1. The quality of being of practical use; SYN. usefulness.
2. A company that performs a public service; subject to government regulation; SYN. public utility, public-service corporation.
3. 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.
4. The service provided by a utility company.

A program designed to perform a particular function; the term usually refers to software that solves narrowly focused problems or those related to computer system management. See also application.