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
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
Josh HarkinsonExamples of civilian in a Sentence
Noun
The bomb injured 12 civilians.
Recent Examples on the Web
Lauren Izso, CNN Money, 3 Apr. 2025
Authorities have struggled to contain the escalating violence, with frequent attacks on police officers, government buildings and civilians.
—Antonio Maria Delgado, Miami Herald, 3 Apr. 2025
Will Steakin, ABC News, 4 Apr. 2025
According to a report released on Thursday by Airwars, a British organization that assesses claims of civilian harm in conflicts, a woman and four children were reported killed in one of the strikes on March 15.
—Eric Schmitt, New York Times, 4 Apr. 2025
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Noun
Israel launched a war on Hamas in Gaza on October 7, 2023, following the militant group’s surprise attack on southern Israel that killed 1,200 people, mostly civilians, and took 251 hostage, according to Israeli authorities.
—Lauren Izso, CNN Money, 3 Apr. 2025
Authorities have struggled to contain the escalating violence, with frequent attacks on police officers, government buildings and civilians.
—Antonio Maria Delgado, Miami Herald, 3 Apr. 2025
Adjective
Haugh, who is the director of the NSA and also heads U.S. Cyber Command, and his civilian deputy Wendy Noble, were both removed from their positions, according to a U.S. official.
—Will Steakin, ABC News, 4 Apr. 2025
According to a report released on Thursday by Airwars, a British organization that assesses claims of civilian harm in conflicts, a woman and four children were reported killed in one of the strikes on March 15.
—Eric Schmitt, New York Times, 4 Apr. 2025
See All Example Sentences for civilian
Cite this Entry
“Civilian.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/civilian. Accessed 13 Apr. 2025.
Copy CitationKids 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
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