civil defense

noun

: the system of protective measures and emergency relief activities conducted by civilians in case of hostile attack, sabotage, or natural disaster

Examples of civil defense in a Sentence

She's in training to be part of the local civil defense. the head of civil defense
Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Syria’s civil defense, popularly known as the White Helmets, said emergency teams were working to transfer the bodies to hospitals and secure the area. Eyad Kourdi, CNN Money, 22 June 2025 The early ‘60s were a time of fallout shelters, civil defense warnings, civil rights riots, and little understood international crises that frightened our parents – and us because of it. Jody Mamone, Hartford Courant, 21 June 2025 Sallee recorded a video of the civil defense siren blaring at the wedding. Ashlyn Robinette, People.com, 28 May 2025 Finland’s civil defense shelters are the envy of the Nordics and can fit around 86% of the Finnish population. Emma Burrows, Los Angeles Times, 29 May 2025 See All Example Sentences for civil defense

Word History

First Known Use

1939, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of civil defense was in 1939

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Civil defense.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/civil%20defense. Accessed 16 Jul. 2025.

Kids Definition

civil defense

noun
: protective actions and emergency relief activities carried on by civilians in case of enemy attack or natural disaster

More from Merriam-Webster on civil defense

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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