noncombatant

noun

non·​com·​bat·​ant ˌnän-kəm-ˈba-tᵊnt 

also

ˌnän-ˈkäm-bə-tənt 

: one that does not engage in combat: such as

a

: a member (such as a chaplain) of the armed forces whose duties do not include fighting

b

: civilian

noncombatant adjective

Examples of noncombatant in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

His cases there included the successful prosecution — in a 25-month trial — of a Croatian general who ordered the slaughter of Muslim noncombatants. —Dan Sullivan, The Orlando Sentinel, 27 May 2025

And of course, Israel itself lost nearly 700 civilians in the October 7 attacks, while many noncombatants are still held hostage by Hamas and other militant groups. —Bryan Walsh, Vox, 26 May 2025

The Palestinian Health Ministry has recorded the deaths of nearly 48,500 people, without distinguishing between combatants and noncombatants, throughout the war. —Newsweek, 6 Mar. 2025

Previously, noncombatants who wanted to participate mostly did so by raising war bonds. —Mick Ryan, Foreign Affairs, 21 Feb. 2025

Word History

First Known Use

1811, in the meaning defined above

Rhymes for noncombatant

• supernatant
• combatant
• patent

Kids Definition

noncombatant

noun

non·​com·​ba·​tant

ˌnän-kəm-ˈbat-ᵊnt,

(ˈ)nän-ˈkäm-bət-ənt

1

: a member (as a chaplain) of the armed forces whose duties do not include fighting

2

: civilian

noncombatant adjective