civilian

[ si-vil-yuhn ]

/ sɪˈvɪl yən /

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See synonyms for: civilian / civilians on Thesaurus.com

noun

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

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.

a person versed in or studying Roman or civil law.

adjective

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

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Question 1 of 7

Which sentence is correct?

His boss, whom he admires, is waiting to meet with him about the big project.

His boss, who he admires, is waiting to meet with him about the big project.

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Origin of civilian

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

OTHER WORDS FROM civilian

an·ti·ci·vil·ian, adjectivenon·ci·vil·ian, nounpro·ci·vil·ian, adjective

Words nearby civilian

civil defence, civil defense, civil disobedience, civil engineer, civil engineering, civilian, civilian clothes, Civilian Conservation Corps, civilianize, civilian review board, civility

How to use civilian in a sentence

It provided an unprecedented picture of civilians’ complaints of abuse by NYPD officers.
ProPublica’s “NYPD Files” Wins John Jay College/Harry Frank Guggenheim Award for Excellence in Criminal Justice Reporting|by ProPublica|February 11, 2021|ProPublica
According to body-camera footage, Webster told a civilian on a motorcycle to help with the pursuit.
The first state to pass a law protecting police accused of misconduct may also be the first to repeal it.|Ovetta Wiggins|February 9, 2021|Washington Post
Along with other senior officers and civilians, I didn’t realize the extent of the problem.
The U.S. Military Needs to Fight Extremism in Its Own Ranks. Here's How|James Stavridis|February 5, 2021|Time
When Leftwich retired, he settled into what he called “civilian life,” a chance to decompress after a decade spent in meeting rooms and practice fields.
Byron Leftwich is a rising star on a Bucs coaching staff that shows the power of diversity|Adam Kilgore|February 5, 2021|Washington Post

On Monday, the company announced plans to launch the first “all-civilian” mission into orbit by the end of the year.
The space tourism we were promised is finally here—sort of|Neel Patel|February 3, 2021|MIT Technology Review
The healthier appearance and civilian clothing are very peculiar.
ISIS’s Futile Quest to Go Legit|Jamie Dettmer|January 5, 2015|DAILY BEAST
We also have a language filled with distaste for the civilian “others.”
A Veteran’s View: NYC Cold War Between Cops and City Hall|Matt Gallagher|December 29, 2014|DAILY BEAST
Police have unions, for one, and those unions influence the elections of their civilian leadership.
A Veteran’s View: NYC Cold War Between Cops and City Hall|Matt Gallagher|December 29, 2014|DAILY BEAST
A civilian corollary was proven when ISIS waterboarded journalist James Foley before beheading him.
The Luxury Homes That Torture and Your Tax Dollars Built|Michael Daly|December 12, 2014|DAILY BEAST
You can read more about the civilian-volunteer position here.
LAPD Foundation: Mark Wahlberg Would Make a Good Reserve Cop|Asawin Suebsaeng|December 9, 2014|DAILY BEAST
"I thought you'd like to see this mountain battery, Fetherston," exclaimed the general, addressing the other civilian.
The Doctor of Pimlico|William Le Queux
The leaders of the little Panay army and their civilian colleagues had to be compensated for their acceptance of American rule.
The Philippine Islands|John Foreman
Washington, during his Presidency, showed his ability to lead in civilian affairs as well as in military affairs.
Hallowed Heritage: The Life of Virginia|Dorothy M. Torpey
Thus, did Virginians—military and civilian—strive to help the Confederate cause in which they so strongly believed.
Hallowed Heritage: The Life of Virginia|Dorothy M. Torpey
Within the federal civilian group, approximately 70% are employed by the Department of Defense.
Hallowed Heritage: The Life of Virginia|Dorothy M. Torpey

British Dictionary definitions for civilian

civilian

/ (sɪˈvɪljən) /

noun

a person whose primary occupation is civil or nonmilitary
(as modifier)civilian life

Word Origin for civilian

C14 (originally: a practitioner of civil law): from civile (from the Latin phrase jūs cīvīle civil law) + -ian

Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

civilian

Origin of civilian

OTHER WORDS FROM civilian

Words nearby civilian

Words related to civilian

How to use civilian in a sentence

British Dictionary definitions for civilian

Word Origin for civilian