civilian

American  

[si-vil-yuhn] / sɪˈvɪl jən /

noun

• civilians
  plural

1. a person who is not on active duty with a military, naval, police, or fire fighting organization.

2. Informal. anyone regarded by members of a profession, interest group, society, etc., as not belonging; nonprofessional; outsider.

   We need a producer to run the movie studio, not some civilian from the business world.

3. a person versed in or studying Roman or civil law.

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adjective

1. of, pertaining to, formed by, or administered by civilians.

civilian British  

/ sɪˈvɪljən /

noun

1. 1. a person whose primary occupation is civil or nonmilitary

   2. ( as modifier )

      civilian life

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Other Word Forms

Derived Forms

• noncivilian
  noun
• anticivilian
  adjective
• procivilian
  adjective

Inflected Forms

Nouns

• civilians
  plural

Etymology

Origin of civilian

1350–1400; Middle English: student of civil law < Old French civilien (adj.); see civil, -ian

Explanation

The most common meaning for civilian is simply someone who is not in the military. It can also refer to any object that is not military in origin — e.g., "civilian clothes" or "civilian life." The meaning of civilian as a non military person is a relatively new one, dating from the early 19th century. Before that it referred to the code of law that governed non-military life. In fact for hundreds of years a civilian was somebody who was a judge or otherwise an expert on the law that applied outside military courts. Because it comes originally from a French word, remember to spell it with only one "l," even though it sounds like it should have two.

Example Sentences

See Examples For:

civilian civilians

In August, a new peak of around 16,000 Ukrainian drones crossed the border into airspace that Russia has kept open to civilian aircraft, according to data tracked by aviation security specialist Osprey Flight Solutions.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Sep. 4, 2026

At the end, the core team flew with Mr. Bush to Texas for some farewell events before dispersing back to civilian life.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Sep. 4, 2026

In 2013, President Barack Obama gave Steinem the Presidential Medal of Freedom, the nation’s highest civilian honor.

From Los Angeles Times ● Sep. 3, 2026

Hours later, Israel released another Lebanese civilian held in the country, in what is believed to be the first known civilian release since US-mediated talks between Israel and Lebanon began in April.

From BBC ● Sep. 3, 2026

Although the Hitler Youth were not tried at Nuremberg, some were tried by civilian courts.

From "Hitler Youth: Growing Up in Hitler's Shadow" by Susan Campbell Bartoletti

Malek Ghazi was handed over to the Lebanese army by the International Committee of the Red Cross, while Israel says four more Lebanese civilians will be released on Friday.

From BBC ● Sep. 3, 2026

Namora cited the spread of false information about protest locations and student arrests, which he said are "likely intended to spread fear and discourage civilians from taking part in the demonstrations".

From Barron's ● Sep. 3, 2026

Led by Finnish troops who are part of Unifil, the convoy was escorting civilians to and from Christian villages near the border.

From BBC ● Sep. 2, 2026

At least four civilians and three firefighters have been injured in connection with the fire, Truckee Meadows Fire Protection District Chief Richard Edwards said at a news conference.

From Los Angeles Times ● Aug. 26, 2026

As the Red Army mobilized its soldiers to fight for the USSR, civilians had to do all the defensive work they could.

From "A Thousand Sisters" by Elizabeth Wein

Related Words

• citizen
• noncombatant