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

Her family is among thousands who have experienced delays after outsourcing firm Capita took over administration of the civil service pension scheme.

From BBC • Jun. 8, 2026

It also said it would try to ensure that "people from working class and regional backgrounds do not feel they need to alter their behaviour, accents or language to fit in with the civil service".

From BBC • Jun. 8, 2026

Her family say their grief and upset was compounded by their attempts to settle Elaine's estate, principally her civil service pension.

From BBC • Jun. 8, 2026

Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer has told civil servants he values them speaking "truth to power", in a letter that acknowledges an "unsettling" period for the civil service.

From BBC • May 6, 2026

In 1939, when Grotjan got a high score on a civil service exam, he offered her a place in his unit.

From "The Woman All Spies Fear" by Amy Butler Greenfield

Related Words

• administration
• authority
• management
• ministry
• red tape