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Showing results for noncombatant. Search instead for noncombatants.
Synonyms

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.


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

"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

Etymology

Origin of noncombatant

First recorded in 1805–15; non- + combatant


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.

See Examples For:

The Senate’s version includes a proposed amendment granting limited authority to use treaty allies’ shipyards for certain noncombatant ships.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Oct. 25, 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

But it was the young who faced the fallout in what would become the largest noncombatant evacuation ever conducted by the U.S. military.

From New York Times ● Nov. 7, 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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