civilian

1 of 2

noun

ci·​vil·​ian sə-ˈvil-yən 

 also  -ˈvi-yən

1

: a specialist in Roman or modern civil law

2

a

: one not on active duty in the armed services or not on a police or firefighting force

b

: outsider sense 1

civilian

2 of 2

adjective

1

a

: of, relating to, or made up of civilians

civilian concerns/demands

the civilian population

civilian customers/casualties

The Congressional Gold Medal and the Presidential Medal of Freedom are the highest civilian honors in the United States.

b

: having the status of a civilian

a civilian pilot

2

: operated or controlled by civilians

civilian industry

: possessed by or vested in civilians

civilian authority

3

: intended or suited for use or consumption by civilians

civilian goods

With twin 2,520-horsepower engines and up to 19 seats, the Sikorsky S-92 is among the world's most powerful civilian helicopters.

—Josh Harkinson

Examples of civilian in a Sentence

Noun

The bomb injured 12 civilians.

Recent Examples on the Web

Noun

About 1,200 people, mostly civilians, were killed in the attack that sparked the war. —Imad Isseid, Chicago Tribune, 1 Feb. 2025

Could these civilians have been aided and abetted by a rival campaign that would benefit from the downfall of Gascón and Emilia Pérez? —Scott Feinberg, The Hollywood Reporter, 1 Feb. 2025

Adjective

Influx in hiring Metro Transit is continuing to grow its Transit Rider Investment Program (TRIP), comprised of civilian agents who ride the light rail and expanding to the BRT system. —Mara H. Gottfried, Twin Cities, 3 Feb. 2025

The Vital de Oliveira was a civilian ship, built in 1910 and outfitted as an auxiliary naval craft when Brazil entered World War II on the side of the Allies. —Max Saltman, CNN, 31 Jan. 2025

Word History

First Known Use

Noun

15th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Adjective

1817, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Kids Definition

civilian

noun

ci·​vil·​ian sə-ˈvil-yən 

: a person not on active duty in the armed services or not on a police or firefighting force

civilian adjective

Legal Definition

civilian

1 of 2 noun

ci·​vil·​ian

: a specialist in Roman or modern civil law

civilian

2 of 2 adjective

: of or relating to civil law as distinguished from common law