Utility (noun)

1. The quality of being useful, practical, or beneficial.
2. A service, such as a public service company, that provides a necessary public service, such as water, gas, or electricity.
3. A small, often useful program or piece of software.

Origin:

The word 'utility' originated from the latin word 'utilitas' which means 'usefulness, advantage.'.

Examples:

1. The utility of a hammer lies in its ability to drive nails into wood.
2. The local utility company provides the city with electricity and natural gas.
3. The utility knife is an indispensable tool for many outdoor activities.
4. Many computer users find the screen capture utility to be a valuable tool.
5. The fire department is a critical utility that ensures the safety of the community.