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.
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 The couple's wedding DJ Debbie Sallee, who is also known as Debbie The DJ, remembers tornado warnings on everyone's phones and the civil defense siren sounding off at around 3:30 p.m. Ashlyn Robinette, People.com, 28 May 2025 The Palestinian Red Crescent Society said the dead included eight of its medics, six members of Gaza’s civil defense agency and one employee of a United Nations agency. Philissa Cramer, Sun Sentinel, 21 Apr. 2025 A number of additional victims remain under the rubble and on roads that are unreachable by ambulance and civil defense crews, the ministry said. Alexander Smith, NBC news, 23 Mar. 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 17 Jun. 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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