entering service

USAGE SUMMARY

"entering service" is correct and usable in written English. You can use it when referring to something that is being put into operation or use, such as a vehicle, equipment, or personnel. Example: "The new bus will be entering service next week." Alternative expressions include "commencing operation" and "going into service."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Wiki

Encyclopedias

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

59 human-written examples

The 787 has also had a history of other mishaps since entering service in November 2011.

The New York Times

The 737-800 has been involved in five fatal accidents since entering service in 1998.

The New York Times

The resultant systems began entering service in the 1970s and first saw combat in 1982, during the Falkland Islands War.

Encyclopedia Britannica

In late 1943 Spitfires powered by Rolls-Royce Griffon engines developing as much as 2,050 horsepower began entering service.

Encyclopedia Britannica

The longer-ranged Patriot missile system began entering service in 1985 as a partial replacement for the Hawk.

Encyclopedia Britannica

Olympic Voyager Capacity 840 passengers; 25,000 tons, outdoor pool, spa, fitness center, casino, international cuisine; entering service in June.

The New York Times - Travel

The Typhoon, currently entering service with the RAF, has a price of more than £45m a plane.

The Guardian

The Tu-154 has been the workhorse of the Soviet and post-Soviet civilian aviation industry, first entering service in the 1970s.

The New York Times

Although a tremendous gamble for Boeing, which for many years had been almost entirely a military supplier, the 707 was a commercial success after entering service in 1958.

Encyclopedia Britannica

The CSS-2, entering service in 1970, was fueled by storable liquids; it had a range of 1,500 miles and carried a one- to two-megaton warhead.

Encyclopedia Britannica

Celebrity Cruises Infinity Capacity 1,950 passengers; 91,000 tons, two outdoor pools, spa, fitness center, casino, international cuisine, choice of restaurants; entering service this month.

The New York Times - Travel

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Incorporate the phrase to indicate a transition from testing or construction to active utility.

Common error

Avoid using "entering service" for small personal consumer goods like a new pair of shoes or a laptop. It carries a heavy, industrial or official connotation that sounds unnatural for minor personal purchases.

Linguistic Context

As noted by Ludwig, the phrase "entering service" functions as a participial phrase that indicates the beginning of a period of utility. It often follows prepositions like "since" or "before", or acts as the complement to a subject in a progressive tense.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

Wiki

45%

News & Media

40%

Encyclopedias

10%

Less common in

Science

3%

Formal & Business

1%

Social Media

1%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

According to Ludwig AI, the phrase "entering service" is an impeccably correct and widely recognized expression. It is most frequently found in discussions regarding aviation, maritime history and infrastructure development. With nearly 60 high-quality examples from sources like the New York Times and Britannica, it is clear that this phrase is the industry standard for describing the operational debut of significant machinery or transport systems. While "going live" might be better for websites, "entering service" remains the most authoritative choice for physical assets and military equipment.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

entry into service

The noun-heavy version of the phrase often used in technical specifications.

commencing operation

Focuses more on the functional activity starting rather than the status of the entity.

going into service

A slightly more prepositional alternative that is equally idiomatic.

starting service

A simpler, more direct variation often used in transport contexts.

becoming operational

Emphasizes the state of being ready and able to perform tasks.

being commissioned

Used specifically for ships and official military equipment to indicate formal entry.

entering the fleet

Specific to vehicles or vessels joining a pre-existing group.

going live

Modern alternative typically used for websites, software or digital services.

deployment

Refers to the actual placement or distribution of resources for use.

launching

Often refers to the initial release or the physical sliding of a ship into water.

FAQs

How do I use "entering service" in a sentence?

You use it to describe the start of an object's operational life. For example: "The new high-speed trains will be "entering service" by late 2025".

What is a formal alternative to "entering service"?

In a formal or military context, you might use "being commissioned" or "commencing operation".

Can I use "entering service" for a new software feature?

While technically possible, it is much more common to use "going live" or "deployment" for digital assets.

Is "entering service" better than "starting service"?

They are largely interchangeable, but "entering service" is often preferred in technical writing and news reports for its professional tone.