civil service

/'sivil'sə:vis/

Học thuật

Thân thiện

A civil service employee helps a citizen at a public information desk.

Definition

Noun:
- The permanent professional branches of a government's administration, excluding military and judicial branches and elected politicians: The "civil service" refers to the body of government employees who are hired and promoted based on merit, typically through competitive examinations, to implement government policies and administer public services.
- The system or method of appointing government officials based on merit: "Civil service" can also refer to the merit-based system itself, designed to ensure a non-partisan, professional, and permanent administrative workforce.

Usage

The term is used as a collective noun to refer to government administration employees as a whole.
It is typically used with the definite article "the" (e.g., ).
It contrasts with political appointees, the military, and the judiciary.

Examples

Noun:
- She decided on a career in the civil service after graduating.
- Reforming the civil service was a key priority for the new administration.
- Entry into the civil service often requires passing a rigorous examination.

Advanced Usage

"Civil service reform": Efforts to change the structure, efficiency, or rules governing the government's administrative workforce.
- The 19th century saw major civil service reform in many countries to combat patronage.
"Civil service commission": An independent body that oversees the recruitment and regulation of civil servants.
- The civil service commission ensures hiring is fair and competitive.

Variants and Related Words

Civil servant (n): An individual who works in the civil service; a government bureaucrat.
- As a civil servant, his job was to advise ministers impartially.

Synonyms

Government bureaucracy: The administrative system governing any large institution.
Public administration: The implementation of government policy and the management of public programs.
The bureaucracy: Often used similarly, though it can have a more negative connotation.

Related Phrases

To enter the civil service: To begin a career as a government administrator.
- He plans to enter the civil service through the fast-stream program.
Civil service rules/regulations: The official guidelines governing the conduct and employment of civil servants.
- Strict civil service rules prevent officials from engaging in political activism.

A civil service employee helps a citizen at a public information desk.

Noun