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

Al-Ansari expressed disappointment with Hamas and Israel, saying each side has made decisions based on political interests and not with civilians' welfare in mind. —Tia Goldenberg, arkansasonline.com, 29 Apr. 2024

Hamas has denied committing atrocities on Oct. 7, saying — despite video evidence to the contrary — that its fighters tried to avoid harming civilians. —Patrick Kingsley, New York Times, 28 Apr. 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