civil defense

American  

noun

1. plans or activities organized by civilians and civilian authorities for the protection of civilian population and property in times of such disasters or emergencies as war or floods.

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Etymology

Origin of civil defense

First recorded in 1935–40

Example Sentences

See Examples For:

civil defense

In Gaza City, community elders, mokhtars, local dignitaries and civil defense crews gathered Tuesday for a mass funeral after the recovery effort that was accomplished with a single excavator and simple hand tools.

From Los Angeles Times ● Aug. 5, 2026

The boy received first aid and was immediately taken to hospital, the Jordanian civil defense said in a statement.

From Barron's ● Jun. 30, 2026

Lebanese civil defense said strikes hit half a dozen sites in the heart of Beirut—upscale neighborhoods and tourist areas outside of Hezbollah’s traditional Shia Muslim strongholds in the southern suburbs.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Apr. 17, 2026

South Korea has massively invested in civil defense.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Apr. 10, 2026

I remember well, for instance, the blind animal terror which ensued when some townie set off the civil defense sirens as a joke.

From "The Secret History" by Donna Tartt