Final answer:
Utility, in the context of innovations and economics, refers to the usefulness or satisfaction provided by an invention or service.
Step-by-step explanation:
The correct definition of utility, in the context of technology and economics, would be the usefulness of an invention. It refers to the characteristic that makes an invention or service desirable because it provides satisfaction or benefits to the user. According to the descriptions provided, for instance by the U.S. Patent Office, utility patents are granted for new and useful processes, products, or machines, or significant improvements to existing technologies. In economics, the concept includes the notion that utility is subjective but still represents a real metric for understanding consumer choices and behavior. This idea aligns with utilitarianism, which suggests that the moral value of an action is determined by its overall utility, typically in terms of the happiness or satisfaction it produces.