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
ABC News, 3 May 2026
It cannot be targeted solely at civilian populations, but harm to civilians is acceptable.
—Charbel Mallo, CNN Money, 3 May 2026
Los Angeles Times, 2 May 2026
Specifically, on May 4, 1886, eight men were arrested by the Chicago police for inciting violence after a bomb exploded at a protest and chaos broke out, with officer and civilian deaths.
—Hannah Hudnall, USA Today, 1 May 2026
See All Example Sentences for civilian
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
show current usage.
Read More
Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors.
Send us feedback.
Noun
The attack on Saturday morning hit a vehicle that was traveling from the White Nile province to Omdurman, the sister city of the capital, Emergency Lawyers, a rights group tracking violence against civilians, said in a statement.
—ABC News, 3 May 2026
It cannot be targeted solely at civilian populations, but harm to civilians is acceptable.
—Charbel Mallo, CNN Money, 3 May 2026
Adjective
Moore and the Los Angeles Police Department’s civilian watchdog both ruled the two officers violated LAPD policies, concluding that Lopez did not pose enough of a threat to justify deadly force.
—Los Angeles Times, 2 May 2026
Specifically, on May 4, 1886, eight men were arrested by the Chicago police for inciting violence after a bomb exploded at a protest and chaos broke out, with officer and civilian deaths.
—Hannah Hudnall, USA Today, 1 May 2026
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 May. 2026.
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
Love words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
