noncombatant

[ non-kuhm-bat-nt, non-kom-buh-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

/ 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

Word History and Origins

Origin of noncombatant¹

First recorded in 1805–15; non- + combatant

Example Sentences

The border fighting has killed more than 400 people on the Lebanese side — most of them militants but also including more than 70 civilians and noncombatant — and at least 15 soldiers and 10 civilians on the Israeli side.

From Seattle Times

On the topic of immigration, for example, he dismissed concerns about deploying the military against noncombatant, noncriminal migrants by saying it was necessary to do “whatever it takes” to handle the “invasion of our country.”

From Slate

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 failure to adequately protect noncombatant civilians risks dramatic escalation of the conflict in the region and imposes severe damage on prospects for peaceful coexistence between Israelis and Palestinians,” they wrote.

From Washington Times

Related Words

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