Civilian
noun
A person who is not part of the military, police, or firefighting forces.
The war caused the death of many civilians.
Often appears as...
- innocent civilian
- civilian casualties
adjective
Related to activities and individuals not involved in the military, police, or firefighting.
The civilian government was overthrown by the military coup.
Often appears as...
- civilian control
- civilian authority
noun
A person who is not involved in a particular profession or activity.
To a civilian, the medical jargon can be quite confusing.
Usage tips
Informal, Neutral
Colloquial
noun
A person who is not part of the military, police, or firefighting forces.
The war caused the death of many civilians.
Often appears as...
- innocent civilian
- civilian casualties
adjective
Related to activities and individuals not involved in the military, police, or firefighting.
The civilian government was overthrown by the military coup.
Often appears as...
- civilian control
- civilian authority
noun
A person who is not involved in a particular profession or activity.
To a civilian, the medical jargon can be quite confusing.
Usage tips
Informal, Neutral
Colloquial
Definition 1 of 3
Pro Tip 1/3Excludes Services
When using 'civilian', make sure you're not referring to anyone in military, police, or firefighting roles.
Only civilians were allowed to enter the contest, so soldiers in uniform stayed out.
Pro Tip 2/3War Context
'Civilian' is often used in news or discussions about war to describe people not in armed forces.
The bombing tragically resulted in several civilian deaths.
Pro Tip 3/3Impartial Image
The term 'civilian' can suggest innocence or neutrality in conflicts or crises.
Rescue efforts focused on getting civilians to safety first.
Compare with
commonalitylaymanordinarypeacefulunarmed
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Video examples
My journey from Marine...
where you're shooting machine guns and firing mortars. There's not a lot of places you can put those skills in the civilian world. Emotionally, I struggled to find meaning. In the military, everything has meaning. Everything you do is either steeped in tradition or has a practical purpose. You can't smoke in the field
Video examples
Who won the space race? ...
During the space race, funding for research and education, in general, increased dramatically, leading to many advances that may not have otherwise been made. Many NASA technologies developed for space are now widely used in civilian life, from memory foam in mattresses to freeze-dried food,
Video examples
Would you sacrifice one...
Meanwhile, governments are researching autonomous military drones that could wind up making decisions of whether they'll risk civilian casualties to attack a high-value target. If we want these actions to be ethical, we have to decide in advance how to value human life
Video examples
What few people know...
These initiatives cut civilian unemployment in half. And they did so alongside labor acts that abolished child labor, granted unions the right to collective bargaining, and set the first national minimum wage. Benefits were also created to help those unable to work.
Video examples
The rebel radio that...
Here, farmers organized democratic councils to govern themselves, alongside cooperatives, schools, and medical clinics. Organizers also encouraged civilian women to participate in these councils to ensure the revolution overthrew both capitalism and patriarchy.
Video examples
Inside a Civil War Most...
while a war raged on cities were under siege hundreds of people fled to shelter at an international peacekeepers base they protected the civilians as celica and anti-balaka forces traded fire next morning we were told that more than
Video examples
Restrepo PIPE National...
as soon as I pop my head up guess huh nobody's gonna help you you're in no man's land the fear is always there especially at night when you can't see what's coming at you are you gonna go back to the civilian world I have no idea
Video examples
The Terra-Cotta Warriors...
largest mausoleums on earth more than seven thousand warriors archers cavalry charioteers and foot soldiers guard his - chin envisioned his life after death to include civilians as well government
Video examples
Lessons we can learn...
between our civilian and our military populations too often our media has paid disproportionate attention to veterans who have committed crimes those struggling in their transitions those
Video examples
Sam Richards: A radical...
of civilian deaths? All because of oil. You can't help but think that. You talk about it. It's in the forefront of your mind, always.
Video examples
My journey from Marine...
where you're shooting machine guns and firing mortars. There's not a lot of places you can put those skills in the civilian world. Emotionally, I struggled to find meaning. In the military, everything has meaning. Everything you do is either steeped in tradition or has a practical purpose. You can't smoke in the field
Video examples
Who won the space race? ...
During the space race, funding for research and education, in general, increased dramatically, leading to many advances that may not have otherwise been made. Many NASA technologies developed for space are now widely used in civilian life, from memory foam in mattresses to freeze-dried food,
Video examples
Would you sacrifice one...
Meanwhile, governments are researching autonomous military drones that could wind up making decisions of whether they'll risk civilian casualties to attack a high-value target. If we want these actions to be ethical, we have to decide in advance how to value human life
Video examples
What few people know...
These initiatives cut civilian unemployment in half. And they did so alongside labor acts that abolished child labor, granted unions the right to collective bargaining, and set the first national minimum wage. Benefits were also created to help those unable to work.
Video examples
The rebel radio that...
Here, farmers organized democratic councils to govern themselves, alongside cooperatives, schools, and medical clinics. Organizers also encouraged civilian women to participate in these councils to ensure the revolution overthrew both capitalism and patriarchy.
Video examples
Inside a Civil War Most...
while a war raged on cities were under siege hundreds of people fled to shelter at an international peacekeepers base they protected the civilians as celica and anti-balaka forces traded fire next morning we were told that more than
Video examples
Restrepo PIPE National...
as soon as I pop my head up guess huh nobody's gonna help you you're in no man's land the fear is always there especially at night when you can't see what's coming at you are you gonna go back to the civilian world I have no idea
Video examples
The Terra-Cotta Warriors...
largest mausoleums on earth more than seven thousand warriors archers cavalry charioteers and foot soldiers guard his - chin envisioned his life after death to include civilians as well government
Video examples
Lessons we can learn...
between our civilian and our military populations too often our media has paid disproportionate attention to veterans who have committed crimes those struggling in their transitions those
Video examples
Sam Richards: A radical...
of civilian deaths? All because of oil. You can't help but think that. You talk about it. It's in the forefront of your mind, always.
Example 1 of 10
Quote examples
Samantha Power
Irish Public Servant
On the rare occasions when U.N. blue helmets have made the news in the past, it has unfortunately too often been in the context of situations where peacekeepers have failed to shield civilians, or even when the peacekeepers themselves have been involved in abuse.
Quote examples
Steve Buyer
American Politician
For those who have made the ultimate sacrifice, we are grateful that such men and women were among us. For those who continue to serve, we honor their commitment. For those who return to civilian life, we honor their service.
Quote examples
John Bel Edwards
American Politician
I am proud to stand with the brave men and women who sacrifice so much to keep our country safe and secure and provide them with the resources they need to transition back into civilian life.
Quote examples
Zach Wamp
American Politician
With freedom comes responsibility, and I can think of no responsibility greater than putting on a U.S military uniform and standing in the gap between an enemy threat and civilian life.
Quote examples
Fred Woodworth
American Activist
It seems like such a terrible shame that innocent civilians have to get hurt in wars, otherwise combat would be such a wonderfully healthy way to rid the human race of unneeded trash.
Quote examples
Kirsten Gillibrand
American Politician
We must do everything we can to help our service members and veterans transition into civilian life once they return home, and that means preparing them for the tough job market.
Quote examples
Phil Klay
American Writer
The civilian wants to respect what the veteran has gone through. The veteran wants to protect memories that are painful and sacred to him from outside judgment.
Quote examples
Joe Wright
English Director
Generally, I've never known quite how to fit in in civilian life, but on set, making a film, I know exactly where to go, how to behave and how I fit.
Quote examples
Tammy Duckworth
As a nation, we need to do everything we can to make sure those who have served have the tools they need to succeed in civilian life.
Quote examples
John McCain
American Politician
We cannot have a separate group of people that are military and a separate civilian society. Otherwise, it's dangerous to democracy.
Quote examples
Samantha Power
Irish Public Servant
On the rare occasions when U.N. blue helmets have made the news in the past, it has unfortunately too often been in the context of situations where peacekeepers have failed to shield civilians, or even when the peacekeepers themselves have been involved in abuse.
Quote examples
Steve Buyer
American Politician
For those who have made the ultimate sacrifice, we are grateful that such men and women were among us. For those who continue to serve, we honor their commitment. For those who return to civilian life, we honor their service.
Quote examples
John Bel Edwards
American Politician
I am proud to stand with the brave men and women who sacrifice so much to keep our country safe and secure and provide them with the resources they need to transition back into civilian life.
Quote examples
Zach Wamp
American Politician
With freedom comes responsibility, and I can think of no responsibility greater than putting on a U.S military uniform and standing in the gap between an enemy threat and civilian life.
Quote examples
Fred Woodworth
American Activist
It seems like such a terrible shame that innocent civilians have to get hurt in wars, otherwise combat would be such a wonderfully healthy way to rid the human race of unneeded trash.
Quote examples
Kirsten Gillibrand
American Politician
We must do everything we can to help our service members and veterans transition into civilian life once they return home, and that means preparing them for the tough job market.
Quote examples
Phil Klay
American Writer
The civilian wants to respect what the veteran has gone through. The veteran wants to protect memories that are painful and sacred to him from outside judgment.
Quote examples
Joe Wright
English Director
Generally, I've never known quite how to fit in in civilian life, but on set, making a film, I know exactly where to go, how to behave and how I fit.
Quote examples
Tammy Duckworth
As a nation, we need to do everything we can to make sure those who have served have the tools they need to succeed in civilian life.
Quote examples
John McCain
American Politician
We cannot have a separate group of people that are military and a separate civilian society. Otherwise, it's dangerous to democracy.
Example 1 of 10
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