noncombatant

noun

non·​com·​bat·​ant ˌnän-kəm-ˈba-tᵊnt 

also

ˌnän-ˈkäm-bə-tənt 

: one that does not engage in combat: such as

a

: a member (such as a chaplain) of the armed forces whose duties do not include fighting

b

: civilian

noncombatant adjective

Examples of noncombatant in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

Anti-tank land mines cannot tell the difference between an enemy tank and a civilian car that drives over them, just as smaller anti-personnel mines are unable to distinguish whether they are being triggered by an enemy soldier or a noncombatant. —John Ismay, New York Times, 3 Dec. 2024

The Palestinian Health Ministry has recorded the deaths of nearly 48,500 people, without distinguishing between combatants and noncombatants, throughout the war. —Newsweek, 6 Mar. 2025

Previously, noncombatants who wanted to participate mostly did so by raising war bonds. —Mick Ryan, Foreign Affairs, 21 Feb. 2025

Today’s Paper | Subscribe Our Coverage of the Middle East Crisis Israel’s Bombing Rules: Surprised by Oct. 7 and fearful of another attack, Israel weakened safeguards meant to protect noncombatants, allowing officers to endanger up to 20 people in each airstrike. —Adam Rasgon, New York Times, 2 Jan. 2025

Word History

First Known Use

1811, in the meaning defined above

Rhymes for noncombatant

• supernatant
• combatant
• patent

Kids Definition

noncombatant

noun

non·​com·​ba·​tant

ˌnän-kəm-ˈbat-ᵊnt,

(ˈ)nän-ˈkäm-bət-ənt

1

: a member (as a chaplain) of the armed forces whose duties do not include fighting

2

: civilian

noncombatant adjective