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
In Newark, 49 sergeants and 23 lieutenants who manage and supervise departments could face demotions if the results of their 2019 civil service exams are thrown out, according to the president of the city's Superior Officers' Association.
—
Christine Sloan, CBS News, 10 Dec. 2025
Analysts and advocates on all sides are watching closely, as the plan’s implementation could dramatically affect civil service staffing, agency independence, and key government programs—policies that will impact millions of Americans.
—Hollie Silverman, MSNBC Newsweek, 9 Dec. 2025
What began as student demonstrations over civil service job quotas quickly swelled into a nationwide roar for her resignation.
—Rhea Mogul, CNN Money, 22 Nov. 2025
Advocates point to Singapore, famous for its highly compensated and efficient civil service, as evidence for their claims.
—Robert Schmad, The Washington Examiner, 14 Nov. 2025
See All Example Sentences for civil service
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.
Christine Sloan, CBS News, 10 Dec. 2025
Analysts and advocates on all sides are watching closely, as the plan’s implementation could dramatically affect civil service staffing, agency independence, and key government programs—policies that will impact millions of Americans.
—Hollie Silverman, MSNBC Newsweek, 9 Dec. 2025
What began as student demonstrations over civil service job quotas quickly swelled into a nationwide roar for her resignation.
—Rhea Mogul, CNN Money, 22 Nov. 2025
Advocates point to Singapore, famous for its highly compensated and efficient civil service, as evidence for their claims.
—Robert Schmad, The Washington Examiner, 14 Nov. 2025
See All Example Sentences for civil service
Cite this Entry
“Civil service.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/civil%20service. Accessed 17 Dec. 2025.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share