Vocabulary · Town
Public services in English
A2
Public services in English: police and fire stations, the hospital, the town hall, the post office, the library, transport and places for culture and sport. With British pronunciation (IPA) and examples.
Quick answer
Safety and emergencies
| Word | Meaning | Pronunciation |
|---|---|---|
| police station(n.)“The police station is on the main street.” | the building where the police work | /pəˈliːs ˌsteɪʃn/ |
| fire station(n.)“Where is the nearest fire station?” | the building for fire engines and crews | /ˈfaɪə ˌsteɪʃn/ |
| hospital(n.)“She works at the hospital.” | a place where sick people get care | /ˈhɒspɪtl/ |
| ambulance(n.) | a vehicle that takes people to hospital | /ˈæmbjələns/ |
| emergency(n.)“Call 999 in an emergency!” | a sudden, dangerous situation | /ɪˈmɜːdʒənsi/ |
| police officer(n.) | a person who keeps law and order | /pəˈliːs ˌɒfɪsə/ |
| firefighter(n.) | a person who stops fires and rescues people | /ˈfaɪəˌfaɪtə/ |
Official buildings
| Word | Meaning | Pronunciation |
|---|---|---|
| town hall(n.)“They got married at the town hall.” | the main building of the local council | /taʊn ˈhɔːl/ |
| city hall(n.) | a big town's council building (US) | /ˌsɪti ˈhɔːl/ |
| court(n.) | where a judge decides legal cases | /kɔːt/ |
| embassy(n.) | a country's official office in another country | /ˈembəsi/ |
| consulate(n.) | an office that helps its citizens abroad | /ˈkɒnsjələt/ |
| post office(n.)“I need to go to the post office.” | where you send letters and parcels | /ˈpəʊst ˌɒfɪs/ |
| town centre(n.) | the main shopping area of a town | /taʊn ˈsentə/ |
Education and health
| Word | Meaning | Pronunciation |
|---|---|---|
| school(n.) | a place where children learn | /skuːl/ |
| library(n.)“The library is closed on Sundays.” | a place where you borrow books | /ˈlaɪbrəri/ |
| university(n.) | a place to study after school | /ˌjuːnɪˈvɜːsəti/ |
| clinic(n.) | a small place to see a doctor | /ˈklɪnɪk/ |
| pharmacy(n.) | a shop that sells medicine | /ˈfɑːməsi/ |
| doctor's office(n.) | the place where a doctor works (US) | /ˈdɒktəz ˌɒfɪs/ |
| GP surgery(n.) | a family doctor's office (UK) | /ˌdʒiː ˈpiː ˌsɜːdʒəri/ |
Transport and services
| Word | Meaning | Pronunciation |
|---|---|---|
| train station(n.) | where trains stop for passengers | /treɪn ˌsteɪʃn/ |
| bus station(n.) | where many buses start and stop | /bʌs ˌsteɪʃn/ |
| airport(n.) | where planes land and take off | /ˈeəpɔːt/ |
| bank(n.) | a place that keeps your money safe | /bæŋk/ |
| ATM(n.)“Is there an ATM near here?” | a machine that gives you cash | /ˌeɪ tiː ˈem/ |
| cashpoint(n.) | a machine that gives you cash | /ˈkæʃpɔɪnt/ |
| public toilet(n.) | toilets that anyone can use in town | /ˌpʌblɪk ˈtɔɪlət/ |
Culture and free time
| Word | Meaning | Pronunciation |
|---|---|---|
| museum(n.) | a building with old or special objects | /mjuˈziːəm/ |
| theatre(n.) | a building where people watch plays | /ˈθɪətə/ |
| theater(n.) | a place for plays or films (US) | /ˈθiːətə/ |
| cinema(n.) | a building where you watch films | /ˈsɪnəmə/ |
| park(n.)“The kids play in the park.” | a public green space in a town | /pɑːk/ |
| swimming pool(n.) | a place with water where you swim | /ˈswɪmɪŋ ˌpuːl/ |
| sports centre(n.) | a building for sport and exercise | /spɔːts ˈsentə/ |
Common mistakes to avoid
Town hall (UK) or city hall (US)?
Town hall is mainly British, for a town. City hall is mainly American, or for a big city (City Hall in New York or London). The two words mean the same kind of building: choose the one that fits the place.
Library or bookshop?
A library is where you borrow books, often for free. A bookshop (UK) or bookstore (US) is where you buy books. Many learners mix them up. A simple tip: library = borrow, bookshop = buy.
Emergency numbers: 999 (UK), 911 (US), 112 (EU)
Call 999 in an emergency (UK). Call 911 (US). Call 112 (all EU countries, and it works in the UK too). Remember the number for the country you are in.
Practice quiz
What's next?
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Frequently asked questions
What is the difference between town hall and city hall?+
Both are the building where the mayor and the local council work. Town hall is the usual word in the UK and for small towns. City hall is more American, or for a big city. In New York, people say City Hall. In London, there is City Hall for the whole city, and each area has its own town hall.
Is a library a shop that sells books?+
No. A library is a place where you borrow books, usually for free. A shop where you buy books is a bookshop (UK) or a bookstore (US). I went to the library to borrow a book. Many learners mix these two words up.
What is the emergency number in the UK?+
In the UK, call 999 for the police, an ambulance or the fire service. In the US, call 911. In all EU countries, the number is 112, and 112 also works in the UK. Learn the number of the country you are in.
Is it a doctor's office or a GP surgery?+
Both are the place where you see a family doctor. Doctor's office is American English. In the UK, people say GP surgery (or just the surgery). A GP (General Practitioner) is a family doctor. In the UK, the NHS (the public health service) organises visits to the GP.
How do you ask where the nearest cash machine is?+
Say Is there an ATM near here? (US and international) or Is there a cashpoint near here? (UK). British people also say cash machine. ATM means Automated Teller Machine. To take money out, say I need to withdraw some cash.
Updated on 12 November 2026 by the Big Challenge teaching team. Every year, more than 500,000 students across Europe take part in our English contest, created in 1999. Our teaching approach →
The Big Challenge · Updated on 12 November 2026 · Source: www.thebigchallenge.com/bl/academy/learn-english/vocabulary/public-services
© The Big Challenge. Copying allowed for classroom use. Every year, more than 500,000 students across Europe take part in our English contest, created in 1999.