civilian

American  

[si-vil-yuhn] / sɪˈvɪl yən /

noun

1. a person who is not on active duty with a military, naval, police, or fire fighting organization.

2. Informal. anyone regarded by members of a profession, interest group, society, etc., as not belonging; nonprofessional; outsider.

   We need a producer to run the movie studio, not some civilian from the business world.

3. a person versed in or studying Roman or civil law.

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adjective

1. of, pertaining to, formed by, or administered by civilians.

civilian British  

/ sɪˈvɪljən /

noun

1. 1. a person whose primary occupation is civil or nonmilitary

   2. ( as modifier )

      civilian life

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Other Word Forms

• anticivilian adjective
• noncivilian noun
• procivilian adjective

Etymology

Origin of civilian

1350–1400; Middle English: student of civil law < Old French civilien (adj.); civil, -ian

Example Sentences

He has also created a new consultative council, which will exercise paramount authority over civilian and military affairs.

From BBC • Apr. 2, 2026

Nothing in the speech suggested that Min Aung Hlaing in civilian clothes was going to rule Myanmar any differently than when he was in uniform.

From BBC • Apr. 2, 2026

Even when I’m not working and I go to a festival as a civilian, I’m all about function over fashion and comfortable shoes and socks to walk thousands of steps each day.

From Los Angeles Times • Apr. 1, 2026

The proposal also urges restoring “normal passage” through the Strait of Hormuz and safeguarding civilian sites and critical infrastructure, including energy, desalination and power facilities, as well as peaceful nuclear infrastructure.

From The Wall Street Journal • Apr. 1, 2026

Prior to 9/11, terrorists were prosecuted in civilian courts.

From Nazi Saboteurs by Samantha Seiple

Related Words

• citizen
• noncombatant