the civil service
noun
: the part of a government that takes care of the government's basic business : the administrative part of a government
—often used before another noun
a civil service employee
the civil service system
Examples of the civil service in a Sentence
Recent Examples on the Web
Thomas singled out Woodrow Wilson—a political scientist, a Progressive, and a Southern Democrat, who, as President, from 1913 to 1921, segregated the civil service and helped create the modern bureaucratic state, including the Federal Reserve and the Federal Trade Commission.
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Ruth Marcus, New Yorker, 21 May 2026
Not only is Irish the Republic’s first official language, and compulsory from primary through to secondary school, it is required for entry into the civil service, and it is supported by its own radio station (Raidió na Gaeltachta) and TV station (TG4), and a range of promotional bodies.
—Big Think, 4 May 2026
Instead, Furman found that because Comey's firing rested on Article II of the Constitution, not a federal law governing the civil service, the federal court has jurisdiction to hear the case.
—Melissa Quinn, CBS News, 28 Apr. 2026
Starmer has denied that anyone in his office put pressure on the civil service.
—ABC News, 27 Apr. 2026
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Ruth Marcus, New Yorker, 21 May 2026
Not only is Irish the Republic’s first official language, and compulsory from primary through to secondary school, it is required for entry into the civil service, and it is supported by its own radio station (Raidió na Gaeltachta) and TV station (TG4), and a range of promotional bodies.
—Big Think, 4 May 2026
Instead, Furman found that because Comey's firing rested on Article II of the Constitution, not a federal law governing the civil service, the federal court has jurisdiction to hear the case.
—Melissa Quinn, CBS News, 28 Apr. 2026
Starmer has denied that anyone in his office put pressure on the civil service.
—ABC News, 27 Apr. 2026
See All Example Sentences for the civil service
Cite this Entry
“The civil service.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/the%20civil%20service. Accessed 22 May. 2026.
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