Geneva Conventions

Cultural  

1. A set of international rules that govern the treatment of prisoners, the sick and wounded, and civilians during war. Under the Geneva Conventions, for example, ambulances and military hospitals and their staff are officially neutral and are not to be fired upon. Nearly all countries of the world have agreed to the Geneva Conventions.

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The first Geneva Convention was drawn up in the late nineteenth century and concerned only the sick and wounded in war. It has been revised several times since to accommodate new wartime conditions.

Example Sentences

The Geneva Conventions governing the laws of war, agreed following World War II, prohibit destruction of "objects indispensable to the survival of the civilian population."

From Barron's • Apr. 2, 2026

According to the Geneva Conventions, to which Russia is a party, former POWs can’t be employed on active military service, only in auxiliary roles.

From The Wall Street Journal • Dec. 22, 2025

The rules of engagement in such armed conflicts - as set out in the Geneva Conventions - forbid the targeting of wounded participants, saying that those participants should instead be apprehended and cared for.

From BBC • Dec. 1, 2025

So none of her arguments — and nothing in the Geneva Conventions — matters to him until she says exactly what he needs to hear.

From Los Angeles Times • Oct. 23, 2025

The Red Cross had its origin in Switzerland and the Geneva Conventions have done much to bring about the adoption of better rules of war.

From Face to Face with Kaiserism by Gerard, James W. (James Watson)