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

TAIPEI—Taiwan kicked off 10 days of military and civil defense exercises on Wednesday, advancing its strategy for deterring a Chinese invasion.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Aug. 5, 2026

That made civil defense crews, firefighters and some volunteers stop and try to help at this chapter of Venezuela's still unfolding tragedy.

From Barron's ● Jun. 28, 2026

“We’ll be here till tomorrow dealing with this blaze,” said Major Issa Hamdoun, a civil defense commander, as he watched his men manhandling the fire hose into the wreckage of the building.

From Los Angeles Times ● May 24, 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

The undertone of fear that San Francisco would be bombed which was abetted by weekly air raid warnings, and civil defense drills in school, heightened my sense of belonging.

From "I Know Why the Caged Bird Sings" by Maya Angelou