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

This latest report into HS2, expected to be published this week, is authored by former National Security Adviser Sir Stephen Lovegrove and has considered the implications for the civil service and public sector.

From BBC • May 17, 2026

A third official said the lack of trust between ministers and the civil service could mean "we all get more risk averse".

From BBC • May 6, 2026

Normally, top mandarins are plucked from the British civil service for the Washington post.

From The Wall Street Journal • Apr. 20, 2026

He said the information was passed on to him by Dame Antonia Romeo, the head of the civil service, and Cat Little, the head of the Cabinet Office, who had received it two weeks prior.

From BBC • Apr. 19, 2026

An ANC government would still require much of the present civil service to run the country.

From "Long Walk to Freedom" by Nelson Mandela

Related Words

• administration
• authority
• management
• ministry
• red tape