B2nounconflictpolitics
US/səˈvɪl.jən/
UK/sɪˈvɪl.jən/
a person who is not a member of the army, navy or police
In context
Thousands of civilians were killed during the war.
The soldiers helped civilians leave the city before the bombing.
After twenty years in the army, he found it hard to return to civilian life.
Words that go with civilian
adjective + noun
- innocent civiliansThe attack killed innocent civilians.
- civilian casualtiesThere were heavy civilian casualties.
- civilian populationThe civilian population suffered most.
- civilian lifeReturning to civilian life can be hard.
verb + noun
- protect civiliansThe UN must protect civilians in the area.