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
Lorne Cook, Chicago Tribune, 19 July 2025
The disarmament ceremony signaled an end to the armed conflict between the PKK and Turkey, one that has killed around 40,000 militants, soldiers, and civilians since 1984.
—Ragip Soylu, Time, 18 July 2025
Callum Sutherland, Time, 21 July 2025
The practice of military aircraft flying in civilian airspace, particularly for drills and other non-combat missions, without ADS-B out turned on has been under scrutiny since a U.S. Army Black Hawk helicopter collided with an American Airlines regional jet over the Potomac River earlier this year.
—Eve Chen, USA Today, 21 July 2025
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Noun
Hundreds of civilians sheltering in the theatre in Mariupol were killed in March 2022, shortly after Russia invaded Ukraine.
—Lorne Cook, Chicago Tribune, 19 July 2025
The disarmament ceremony signaled an end to the armed conflict between the PKK and Turkey, one that has killed around 40,000 militants, soldiers, and civilians since 1984.
—Ragip Soylu, Time, 18 July 2025
Adjective
The escalation comes amid growing international alarm over mounting civilian casualties after dozens of Palestinians seeking aid were killed Sunday in one of the deadliest incidents since Israel introduced a new humanitarian delivery system in late May.
—Callum Sutherland, Time, 21 July 2025
The practice of military aircraft flying in civilian airspace, particularly for drills and other non-combat missions, without ADS-B out turned on has been under scrutiny since a U.S. Army Black Hawk helicopter collided with an American Airlines regional jet over the Potomac River earlier this year.
—Eve Chen, USA Today, 21 July 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 25 Jul. 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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