Thesaurus.com
Dictionary.com
Definitions

civilian

[si-vil-yuhn] / sɪˈvɪl jən /


NOUN
nonmilitary person
Synonyms


Example Sentences

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

See Examples For:

Exact numbers of Afghan civilian deaths are harder to come by, but we know they are in the tens of thousands.

From Slate Sep. 11, 2026

Among the main pathways recruiters use to exploit foreigners are job advertisements online, often with the promise of false civilian work, Amnesty said.

From Barron's Sep. 10, 2026

The agreement under negotiation could see British officials and experts take part in civilian crisis management operations for the first time since Brexit.

From BBC Sep. 7, 2026

The sheer numbers of drones, and the frantic activity of Russian air defenses trying to shoot them down, are creating growing risks for civilian aircraft, according to aviation safety experts.

From The Wall Street Journal Sep. 4, 2026

That day, President Obama awarded me the highest honor our nation can award a civilian: the Presidential Medal of Freedom.

From "Reaching for the Moon" by Katherine Johnson

Remembering the civilians who went to war on 9/11.

From The Wall Street Journal Sep. 11, 2026

Many civilians have already left, and key streets there are now covered with anti-drone nets, says Viktor Makurin, a volunteer from London.

From BBC Sep. 10, 2026

According to the Geneva-based research centre Small Arms Survey, civilians had more than 2.3 million firearms in 2017 -- nearly three for every 10 inhabitants.

From Barron's Aug. 30, 2026

The security ministry also issued a statement expressing opposition to "bombings by international warships targeting civilians" that "undermined co-operation… in combatting piracy", and demanded an immediate explanation for why they were carried out.

From BBC Aug. 29, 2026

Harm to civilians is not seen as part of regular warfare.

From "An Indigenous People’s History of the United States" by Roxanne Dunbar-Ortiz




Vocabulary lists containing civilian


Vocabulary.com logo
by dictionary.com

Dictionary.com's Learning Companion

Go beyond just looking up words.
Remember them forever with VocabTrainer.

Start training