noncombatant

[ non-kuh m-bat-nt, non-kom-buh-tnt ]

/ ˌnɒn kəmˈbæt nt, nɒnˈkɒm bə tnt /

noun

a person connected with a military force in some capacity other than that of a fighter, as a surgeon or chaplain.

a person who is not directly involved in combat; a civilian in wartime.

adjective

not constituting, designed for, or engaged in combat.

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“Compliment” and “complement” had a shared meaning a long time ago, but today they are no longer interchangeable.

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Origin of noncombatant

First recorded in 1805–15; non- + combatant

Words nearby noncombatant

noncognitivism, noncollegiate, noncom, noncom., noncombat, noncombatant, noncombustible, noncomedogenic, noncommercial, noncommissioned, noncommissioned officer

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2020

Example sentences from the Web for non-combatant

But Broyles is too good here, and admits that women too feel the pull of war by being exposed to it, even as a non-combatant.
War Is Hell and Such Good Fun|Don Gomez|November 11, 2014|DAILY BEAST
It has steadfastly refused to release its own estimates of non-combatant deaths in drone strikes, figures that it says classified.
U.S. Drone Program Needs to Be Accompanied by Hard Facts on Civilian Deaths|Daniel Klaidman|November 8, 2013|DAILY BEAST
Although there are more NATO troops in Afghanistan conducting more missions than ever before, non-combatant deaths are down.
Petraeus vs. the Mafia|Peter Galbraith|June 24, 2010|DAILY BEAST
There is not a road in the county not marked with the blood of some soldier or non-combatant.
Sergeant York And His People|Sam Cowan

Anyhow, we'll do our best, and to do it we mustn't be hampered by the presence of a non-combatant.
The Shooting of Dan McGrew, A Novel|Marvin Dana
It was no time for diplomacy or fine distinctions as to the rights of the non-combatant sex.
Our Square and the People in It|Samuel Hopkins Adams
The rebels had ample supplies of rice, buffaloes, etc., stolen from the non-combatant natives.
The Philippine Islands|John Foreman
There never was a completer victory; I was the only non-combatant left on the field.
A Tramp Abroad, Complete|Mark Twain (Samuel Clemens)

British Dictionary definitions for non-combatant

noncombatant

/ (ˌnɒnˈkɒmbətənt) /

noun

a civilian in time of war

a member of the armed forces whose duties do not include fighting, such as a chaplain or surgeon

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

noncombatant

noun

adjective

QUIZZES

CAN YOU ACE THIS QUIZ ABOUT “COMPLIMENT” VS. “COMPLEMENT”?

Origin of noncombatant

Words nearby noncombatant

Words related to non-combatant

Example sentences from the Web for non-combatant

British Dictionary definitions for non-combatant

noun