civil service

noun

: the administrative service of a government or international agency exclusive of the armed forces
especially : one in which appointments are determined by competitive examination

Examples of civil service in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
The union went on strike — the first time a civil service union walked off the job — in November 2023. — William Melhado, Sacbee.com, 2 July 2026 The office houses a variety of civil services, including the sheriff's office. — David Ferrara, Cincinnati Enquirer, 19 June 2026 Hiring processes are governed by countywide civil service rules, which limit how quickly departments can recruit and onboard employees. — Steve Scauzillo, Daily News, 4 May 2026 This new designation without civil service protections would make workers more vulnerable to political pressure. — Theresa Gaffney, STAT, 8 June 2026 See All Example Sentences for civil service

Word History

First Known Use

circa 1770, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of civil service was circa 1770

Rhymes for civil service

See All Rhymes for civil service

Browse Nearby Words

civil servant
civil service
civil service exam
See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Civil service.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/civil%20service. Accessed 7 Jul. 2026.

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Kids Definition

civil service

noun
: the branch of a government that takes care of the business of running a state but that does not include the lawmaking branch, the military, or the court system

More from Merriam-Webster on civil service

Nglish: Translation of civil service for Spanish Speakers

Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about civil service

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