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
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
Josh HarkinsonExamples of civilian in a Sentence
Noun
The bomb injured 12 civilians.
Recent Examples on the Web
Nimi Princewill, CNN Money, 8 July 2025
This figure does not distinguish between civilians and combatants.
—Ellie Cook, MSNBC Newsweek, 7 July 2025
Sophia Compton, FOXNews.com, 10 July 2025
International advocacy group Human Rights Watch, released a detailed report documenting at least 45 drone attacks aimed at civilian targets in Kherson, which lies on the western bank of the Dnipro River, within close range of occupying Russian forces that control the eastern bank.
—Katya Soldak, Forbes.com, 8 July 2025
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Noun
Some 11 civilians were injured, police said in a Monday night statement, though the Kenya National Commission on Human Rights (KNHCR) reported that 29 people were injured.
—Nimi Princewill, CNN Money, 8 July 2025
This figure does not distinguish between civilians and combatants.
—Ellie Cook, MSNBC Newsweek, 7 July 2025
Adjective
While Chinese officials have not recently released any updates about the two satellites, civilian satellite trackers showed Shijian-21 and Shijian-25 moving closer together before becoming indistinguishable from one another, Ars Technica reported.
—Sophia Compton, FOXNews.com, 10 July 2025
International advocacy group Human Rights Watch, released a detailed report documenting at least 45 drone attacks aimed at civilian targets in Kherson, which lies on the western bank of the Dnipro River, within close range of occupying Russian forces that control the eastern bank.
—Katya Soldak, Forbes.com, 8 July 2025
See All Example Sentences for civilian
Cite this Entry
“Civilian.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/civilian. Accessed 22 Jul. 2025.
Copy CitationKids 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
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