noncombatant
Americannoun
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a person connected with a military force in some capacity other than that of a fighter, as a surgeon or chaplain.
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a person who is not directly involved in combat; a civilian in wartime.
adjective
noun
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a civilian in time of war
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a member of the armed forces whose duties do not include fighting, such as a chaplain or surgeon
Etymology
Origin of noncombatant
Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
Bukele said the men were noncombatant aviation support staff.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Oct. 22, 2026
In June 1967, you could have found me standing in line outside the Jewish Agency in Manhattan, hoping to register as a noncombatant in the Six-Day War.
From Salon ● Mar. 31, 2024
But under international humanitarian law, it is illegal for a fighter to pose as a doctor — or any other noncombatant civilian.
From Los Angeles Times ● Feb. 2, 2024
What the U.S. government calls the August noncombatant evacuation operation, or NEO, brought more than 74,000 Afghans to this country.
From Washington Post ● Dec. 12, 2021
An unexpected, a singularly noncombatant, note came into Mrs. Glass’s voice.
From "Franny and Zooey" by J. D. Salinger
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Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
