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Definitions

civil servant

NOUN
government employee
Synonyms
STRONGEST
public servant
WEAK
government worker public employee public official

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.

Olly Robbins, the most senior Foreign Office civil servant, was fired last week.

From The Wall Street Journal • Apr. 20, 2026

The Foreign Office's top civil servant Sir Olly Robbins, who was sacked last week over the matter, is expected to face MPs on the Foreign Affairs Committee the following day.

From BBC • Apr. 19, 2026

Sir Keir moved to replace the previous US ambassador Karen Pierce, a civil servant, with Lord Mandelson when US President Donald Trump returned to the White House in January last year.

From BBC • Apr. 19, 2026

The whole saga has now cost another person their job – Sir Olly Robbins, the most senior civil servant in the Foreign Office.

From BBC • Apr. 16, 2026

Self-taught, the youngest daughter of a senior civil servant.

From "Atonement" by Ian McEwan