public servant

American  

noun

1. a person holding a government office or job by election or appointment; person in public service.

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public servant British  

noun

1. an elected or appointed holder of a public office

2. British equivalent: civil servant.  a member of the public service

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Etymology

Origin of public servant

First recorded in 1670–80

Example Sentences

Mr Baine said Uganda's laws did not allow public servants to participate in politics.

From BBC

They need not do so by punishing investors and the agency’s public servants, she said.

From Barron's

“It has been my honor to work with a talented, brave, and tireless group of public servants to ensure that the public knows what its government is doing,” he wrote.

From Los Angeles Times

Given that AI uses a tremendous amount of energy and water, public servants should be applying it towards solving society’s most intractable problems, not creating racist tropes or belittling people for exercising their democratic rights.

From Salon

The original law prevents judges, police officers, teachers and public servants from wearing symbols such as the kippah, turban, or hijab while at work.

From BBC

Related Words

• civil servant
• elected official