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

They undermine every investigation that the civil service has run.

From BBC

Insiders seem confident that extensive vetting must have been done before Dame Antonia was given the top civil service job in the Home Office.

From BBC

She now runs the village shop in Pirnmill and was counting on getting her civil service pension to clear debts and ensure the future of the shop.

From BBC

In a Q&A, Cooper told reporters the plans would not result in any cuts to civil service jobs.

From BBC

One change we are expecting imminently is the departure of Sir Chris Wormald, who as cabinet secretary is the head of the civil service.

From BBC

Related Words

• administration
• authority
• management
• ministry
• red tape