diff --git a/specification/glossary.md b/specification/glossary.md
index afe71ec5be4..79fe90acd31 100644
--- a/specification/glossary.md
+++ b/specification/glossary.md
@@ -27,6 +27,7 @@ Some other fundamental terms are documented in the [overview document](overview.
   * [Instrumented Library](#instrumented-library)
   * [Instrumentation Library](#instrumentation-library)
   * [Tracer Name / Meter Name](#tracer-name--meter-name)
+  * [Service](#service)
 - [Logs](#logs)
   * [Log Record](#log-record)
   * [Log](#log)
@@ -153,6 +154,14 @@ This refers to the `name` and (optional) `version` arguments specified when
 creating a new `Tracer` or `Meter` (see [Obtaining a Tracer](trace/api.md#tracerprovider)/[Obtaining a Meter](metrics/api.md#meterprovider)).
 The name/version pair identifies the [Instrumentation Library](#instrumentation-library).
 
+### Service
+
+A `service` is a component of a larger distributed `application`. A service logically represents a repeatable business activity with a specified outcome. A service exchanges information with other services via some form of inter-process communication mechanism, such as network or shared storage.
+
+A `service instance` is a physical manifestation of a service, usually running in its own operating system process. Multiple service instances may be deployed at the same time for high availability and scalability.
+
+See [Resource Semantic Conventions - Service](resource/semantic_conventions/README.md#service) for more details and naming requirements.
+
 ## Logs
 
 ### Log Record
diff --git a/specification/resource/semantic_conventions/README.md b/specification/resource/semantic_conventions/README.md
index ab5fe29d455..54176a96834 100644
--- a/specification/resource/semantic_conventions/README.md
+++ b/specification/resource/semantic_conventions/README.md
@@ -60,7 +60,7 @@ as specified in the [Resource SDK specification](../sdk.md#sdk-provided-resource
 
 **type:** `service`
 
-**Description:** A service instance.
+**Description:** A [service](../../glossary.md#service) instance.
 
 <!-- semconv service -->
 | Attribute  | Type | Description  | Examples  | Required |