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

At least 207 homes and other structures have been destroyed, 90 have been confirmed damaged, and six fire personnel and civilians have been injured, Cal Fire said. —Minyvonne Burke, NBC News, 13 Nov. 2024

In many cases, civilians who want to flee simply cannot. —Sarah E. Parkinson, Foreign Affairs, 11 Nov. 2024

Adjective

Russia has used warships from its Black Sea Fleet, as well as strategic bombers, to conduct missile strikes on targets across Ukraine, leading to hundreds of civilian casualties. —Artem Grudinin, NBC News, 13 Nov. 2024

These attacks will strengthen the convictions of Hezbollah’s civilian supporters. —Sarah E. Parkinson, Foreign Affairs, 11 Nov. 2024

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