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
Catherine Nicholls, CNN Money, 27 Oct. 2025
According to the Department of War, previously known as the Department of Defense, the Navy base at Guantánamo Bay serves about 6,000 people, including joint services personnel, civilians, family members and others.
—Christopher Cann, USA Today, 27 Oct. 2025
Big Think, 28 Oct. 2025
However, roughly 55% of the Defense Department’s 740,000 civilian employees have been furloughed, including those involved in training, procurement, and administrative support.
—Terry Moseley, USA Today, 28 Oct. 2025
See All Example Sentences for civilian
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Noun
More than 200 civilians have been killed in the southern Ukrainian regions of Dnipropetrovsk, Kherson and Mykolaiv since July 2024, the report says, citing local authorities.
—Catherine Nicholls, CNN Money, 27 Oct. 2025
According to the Department of War, previously known as the Department of Defense, the Navy base at Guantánamo Bay serves about 6,000 people, including joint services personnel, civilians, family members and others.
—Christopher Cann, USA Today, 27 Oct. 2025
Adjective
America’s merchant fleet — its civilian ships for carrying cargo and passengers — became the world’s largest, sustaining Allied logistics.
—Big Think, 28 Oct. 2025
However, roughly 55% of the Defense Department’s 740,000 civilian employees have been furloughed, including those involved in training, procurement, and administrative support.
—Terry Moseley, USA Today, 28 Oct. 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 30 Oct. 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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