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
Justin Gest, Newsweek, 20 Jan. 2025
Over 46,000 Palestinians have been killed, according to Gaza's Health Ministry, which says women and children make up more than half the fatalities but does not distinguish between civilians and fighters.
—Wafaa Shurafa, Samy Magdy, Melanie Lidman and Sam Mednick The Associated Press, arkansasonline.com, 20 Jan. 2025
Brian Mann, NPR, 22 Jan. 2025
White, a lawyer by training and Chicago native, got his start with police oversight in Chicago as part of a civilian office.
—Ishani Desai, Sacramento Bee, 22 Jan. 2025
See all Example Sentences for civilian 
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Noun
The attack resulted in the deaths of approximately 1,200 people—mostly civilians—and the abduction of 250 others, with around 100 still missing and many feared dead.
—Justin Gest, Newsweek, 20 Jan. 2025
Over 46,000 Palestinians have been killed, according to Gaza's Health Ministry, which says women and children make up more than half the fatalities but does not distinguish between civilians and fighters.
—Wafaa Shurafa, Samy Magdy, Melanie Lidman and Sam Mednick The Associated Press, arkansasonline.com, 20 Jan. 2025
Adjective
Since Moscow launched its full-scale invasion in February 2022, the Kremlin has repeatedly denied targeting Ukraine's civilian population.
—Brian Mann, NPR, 22 Jan. 2025
White, a lawyer by training and Chicago native, got his start with police oversight in Chicago as part of a civilian office.
—Ishani Desai, Sacramento Bee, 22 Jan. 2025
See all Example Sentences for civilian
Dictionary Entries Near civilian
Cite this Entry
“Civilian.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/civilian. Accessed 30 Jan. 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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