civil service

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.

civil service

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

civil service

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

Word History and Origins

Origin of civil service¹

First recorded in 1775–85

Example Sentences

The review examined "exception" appointments, whereby the normal civil service recruitment rules are bypassed.

From BBC

He has vowed to weaken civil service rules that protect federal bureaucrats from being fired if they disagree with their bosses’ decisions.

From Los Angeles Times

For instance, he says one remote corner of federal law gives the president the power to conduct mass layoffs without regard to civil service protections.

From New York Times

The executive document also notes that the pay guidelines for the civil service in Great Britain will allow "an average pay award of up to 5%" there.

From BBC

Ms Gray, who became a household name after leading the government's internal inquiry into the Partygate scandal, left the civil service to become a senior adviser to Sir Keir last year.

From BBC

Related Words

• administration
• authority
• management
• ministry
• red tape