civil service

American  

noun

1. those branches of public service concerned with all governmental administrative functions outside the armed services.

2. the body of persons employed in these branches.

3. a system or method of appointing government employees on the basis of competitive examinations, rather than by political patronage.

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civil service British  

noun

1. the service responsible for the public administration of the government of a country. It excludes the legislative, judicial, and military branches. Members of the civil service have no official political allegiance and are not generally affected by changes of governments

2. the members of the civil service collectively

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civil service Cultural  

1. The nonmilitary personnel who work for a government, applying its laws and regulations.

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Etymology

Origin of civil service

First recorded in 1775–85

Example Sentences

Civil service roles in the U.S. were originally designed to serve the Constitution and the public, not individual officeholders.

From Salon • Jun. 7, 2025

Civil service union Prospect warned "blunt cuts of this scale" could harm delivery across government.

From BBC • Apr. 10, 2025

Civil service investigator Sue Gray described alcohol-fueled bashes held by Downing Street staff members in 2020 and 2021, when pandemic restrictions prevented U.K. residents from socializing or even visiting dying relatives.

From Seattle Times • Jun. 6, 2022

Civil service unions have been told most of the cuts will be achieved by not recruiting externally when officials leave jobs, The Times said.

From Reuters • Aug. 11, 2021

Civil service reform in the late nineteenth century reduced patronage and corruption and introduced a merit system that allowed blacks to get a foot in the door.

From "Hidden Figures" by Margot Lee Shetterly

Related Words

• administration
• authority
• management
• ministry
• red tape