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Synonyms

public servant

American  

noun

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

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

"Collins English Dictionary — Complete & Unabridged" 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

Etymology

Origin of public servant

First recorded in 1670–80

Example Sentences

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

The obscure law bans a person from soliciting or receiving nonpublic information from a public servant by means of their office or employment with the intent to obtain a benefit.

From Slate • Mar. 26, 2026

That was in keeping with the career of a public servant who had spent four decades serving both Democratic and Republican presidents.

From Barron's • Mar. 21, 2026

Sir Keir said Dame Antonia is an "outstanding public servant, with a 25‑year record of delivering for the British people".

From BBC • Feb. 19, 2026

He is a public servant, and as such is required to serve the public.

From Salon • Nov. 21, 2025

Mother said it was the height of rudeness for a public servant with privileged knowledge to pry, and for once I had to agree with her.

From "The Evolution of Calpurnia Tate" by Jacqueline Kelly

Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023

Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.