noncombatant

American  

[non-kuhm-bat-nt, non-kom-buh-tnt] / ˌnɒn kəmˈbæt nt, nɒnˈkɒm bə tnt /

noun

1. a person connected with a military force in some capacity other than that of a fighter, as a surgeon or chaplain.

2. a person who is not directly involved in combat; a civilian in wartime.

---

adjective

1. not constituting, designed for, or engaged in combat.

noncombatant British  

/ ˌnɒnˈkɒmbətənt /

noun

1. a civilian in time of war

2. a member of the armed forces whose duties do not include fighting, such as a chaplain or surgeon

---

Etymology

Origin of noncombatant

First recorded in 1805–15; non- + combatant

Related Words

• disinterested
• evenhanded
• fair-minded
• inactive
• indifferent
• nonaligned
• nonpartisan
• unbiased
• uncommitted
• undecided
• uninvolved