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
Amir Daftari, MSNBC Newsweek, 8 Sep. 2025
The attackers, who authorities said were Palestinian, were reportedly shot and killed by an Israeli soldier and civilian on the scene.
—Sarah Fortinsky, The Hill, 8 Sep. 2025
Andreas Wiseman, Deadline, 9 Sep. 2025
Estimates of civilian deaths during the siege range from 22,000 to 87,000; reliable figures on the current population are hard to come by.
—Yegor Mostovshikov, The Dial, 9 Sep. 2025
See All Example Sentences for civilian
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Noun
Iran retaliated with missile strikes that killed 31 civilians and one off-duty soldier in Israel.
—Amir Daftari, MSNBC Newsweek, 8 Sep. 2025
The attackers, who authorities said were Palestinian, were reportedly shot and killed by an Israeli soldier and civilian on the scene.
—Sarah Fortinsky, The Hill, 8 Sep. 2025
Adjective
The events culminated in the 2016 signing of Colombia’s peace accord, for which Gurudev received Colombia’s highest civilian honor in recognition of his role.
—Andreas Wiseman, Deadline, 9 Sep. 2025
Estimates of civilian deaths during the siege range from 22,000 to 87,000; reliable figures on the current population are hard to come by.
—Yegor Mostovshikov, The Dial, 9 Sep. 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 11 Sep. 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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