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

While the government’s warnings are stark, even communities closest to Ukraine are still catching up on civil defense preparedness. — ABC News, 27 Sep. 2026

His statement followed alerts by Saudi civil defense authorities, who later noted the danger had passed. — Fatma Khaled, Los Angeles Times, 24 Sep. 2026

Over 15 hours, the civil defense workers and volunteers managed to pull 22 survivors from the wreckage, authorities say. — Arkansas Online, 19 Sep. 2026

Video showed civil defense crews surveying the wreckage and using bulldozers to dig people out, including children. — CBS News, 16 Sep. 2026

Word History

First Known Use

1939, in the meaning defined above

Rhymes for civil defense

• hyperintense
• antisense
• commonsense
• effulgence
• frankincense
• ninepence
• nondefense
• recommence
• recompence
• recompense
• cense
• dense

Kids Definition

civil defense

noun

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