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

The Saudi civil defense overnight said a projectile fell in a different area near the border with Yemen along the Red Sea, injuring two people and damaging a mosque and several other buildings. — ABC News, 14 Sep. 2026

Hassan Saboula, director of Jawf's civil defense agency, said a child was among the 23 killed Monday and that rescue teams were still searching for seven missing from the attack. — Arkansas Online, 10 Sep. 2026

Hassan Saboula, director of Jawf’s civil defense agency, said a child was among the 23 killed on Monday and that rescue teams were still searching for seven missing from the attack. — Samy Magdy, Los Angeles Times, 9 Sep. 2026

The 24-hour weather updates issued by the country's civil defense also warned of possible flash floods or landslides. — Justina Lee, CNBC, 8 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