Geneva Convention

American  

noun

1. one of a series of international agreements, first made in Geneva, Switzerland, in 1864, establishing rules for the humane treatment of prisoners of war and of the sick, the wounded, and the dead in battle.

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Geneva Convention British  

noun

1. the international agreement, first formulated in 1864 at Geneva, establishing a code for wartime treatment of the sick or wounded: revised and extended on several occasions to cover maritime warfare and prisoners of war

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Example Sentences

Hints in open-source material suggest pilots learn martial-arts style kicks and that they carry small arms, and that they are trained in rules of engagement consistent with the Geneva Convention.

From The Wall Street Journal • Apr. 5, 2026

The 1949 Geneva Convention limits attacks on facilities vital for the survival of the civilian population.

From The Wall Street Journal • Apr. 4, 2026

Collective punishment of civilians, when it takes place during armed conflict, is a violation of the Fourth Geneva Convention.

From Los Angeles Times • Apr. 1, 2026

The Geneva Convention states that the questioning of prisoners should be carried out in a language they understand and prisoners must be protected against public curiosity.

From BBC • Jan. 12, 2025

“I am a military emissary caught in enemy territory masquerading as a civilian. I count as a spy. The Geneva Convention doesn’t protect me.”

From "Code Name Verity" by Elizabeth Wein