noncombatant

American  

[non-kuhm-bat-nt, non-kom-buh-tnt] / ˌnɒn kəmˈbæt nt, nɒnˈkɒm bə tnt /

noun

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

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

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adjective

1. not constituting, designed for, or engaged in combat.

noncombatant British  

/ ˌnɒnˈkɒmbətənt /

noun

1. a civilian in time of war

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

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Etymology

Origin of noncombatant

First recorded in 1805–15; non- + combatant

Example Sentences

One IDF officer started by telling me that they worked hard to safeguard the lives of noncombatants.

From BBC

What about those who can and do serve as noncombatants?

From Salon

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

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

The ministry count does not distinguish between fighters and noncombatants, but it says about two-thirds of the dead are women and minors.

From Seattle Times

Related Words

• disinterested
• evenhanded
• fair-minded
• inactive
• indifferent
• nonaligned
• nonpartisan
• unbiased
• uncommitted
• undecided
• uninvolved