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
Erik Kain, Forbes.com, 1 Aug. 2025
In each round of fighting, civilians knew where to find safety: in the schools, clinics, and hospitals run by the U.N., which also fed them.
—Karl Vick, Time, 1 Aug. 2025
Tom Vanden Brook, USA Today, 2 Aug. 2025
On September 15, 2023, several Guardia Civil police officers turned up at Madrid’s training facilities, dressed in civilian clothes.
—Guillermo Rai, New York Times, 2 Aug. 2025
See All Example Sentences for civilian
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Noun
Rose Ayling-Ellis plays Alison Brooks, a deaf civilian working in a police canteen who is drawn into the investigation of a dangerous gang thanks to her lip-reading skills.
—Erik Kain, Forbes.com, 1 Aug. 2025
In each round of fighting, civilians knew where to find safety: in the schools, clinics, and hospitals run by the U.N., which also fed them.
—Karl Vick, Time, 1 Aug. 2025
Adjective
The small, rugged truck crossed over into civilian use and is the ancestor of the off-road vehicles and SUVs that patrol suburbs and ferry kids to the frontlines of soccer games.
—Tom Vanden Brook, USA Today, 2 Aug. 2025
On September 15, 2023, several Guardia Civil police officers turned up at Madrid’s training facilities, dressed in civilian clothes.
—Guillermo Rai, New York Times, 2 Aug. 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 7 Aug. 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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