civilian
person not in the military
A person who is not in the army, navy, air force, police, or other uniformed service.
a/the civilian [does something]
- The city was evacuated to keep civilians safe from the fighting.
- Several civilians were injured when the bomb exploded near the market.
- After ten years in the army, he left and became a civilian again.
- Aid workers helped civilians who had lost their homes in the conflict.
- The law applies to both soldiers and civilians.
- Many civilians ran away from the war.
- The government must protect civilians in this area.
- He worked as a soldier, but now he is a civilian.
- Civilians cannot enter this military base.
- The bus was full of civilians and a few soldiers.
relating to non-military people
Talking about people or things that are not in the army, police, or other uniformed groups.
[civilian] [noun]
- He found it hard to adjust to civilian life after leaving the navy.
- The officer changed into civilian clothes before going home.
- The country returned to civilian government after years of military rule.
- Aid agencies warned that the bombing threatened the civilian population.
- She left the army and took a civilian job in finance.
- He had problems in civilian life after many years as a soldier.
- The police officer went home in civilian clothes.
- The country moved from military rule to civilian government.
- War is very dangerous for the civilian population.
- After the war, many soldiers looked for civilian jobs.
non-expert in a field
A person who is not an expert or professional in a special subject or job.
a/the civilian [in this context]
- To a civilian, this medical report is almost impossible to understand.
- The engineer tried to explain the problem in terms a civilian could follow.
- For a civilian, you know a surprising amount about criminal law.
- The instructions are so technical that no civilian could install the system alone.
- To most civilians, their computer systems just seem like magic.
- To a civilian, this law text is hard to read.
- He explained the computer problem in words a civilian can understand.
- For a civilian, she knows a lot about airplanes.
- This report is too technical for a civilian like me.
- The doctor spoke slowly so a civilian could follow.
scholar of civil (Roman) law
A legal expert who studies or works mainly with civil law based on old Roman law, not common law.
a/the civilian [wrote/argued]
- As a distinguished civilian, he wrote several treatises on Roman law.
- Medieval civilians played a key role in developing European legal systems.
- The faculty included both canonists and civilians.
- Many civilians of the period trained at Italian universities.
- The ideas of the great civilians still influence modern legal codes.
- The book was written by a famous civilian in the 17th century.
- Some civilians taught Roman law at the university.
- In history, civilians helped build modern civil law.
- Students of law sometimes read old texts by civilians.
- Civilians and canon lawyers worked in the same schools.
- Base: civilian
- Base: civilian
- Plural: civilians
as a civilian
1in the role of a civilian
In the situation of being a person who is not in the army, police, or similar service.
- He worked for the army for years, but now, as a civilian, he lives a quieter life.
- As a civilian, she had limited access to the base.
- Soon he will retire and start a new career as a civilian.
civilian casualties
1non-military people killed or hurt
Civilians who are killed or injured in a war, attack, or accident.
- The attack caused heavy civilian casualties in the border town.
- Human rights groups condemned the bombing for the number of civilian casualties.
- The report said efforts were made to limit civilian casualties.
civilian clothes
1ordinary clothes, not a uniform
Normal everyday clothes, not a military or police uniform, especially when worn by someone who usually wears a uniform.
- The officer changed into civilian clothes before going home.
- Soldiers in civilian clothes guarded the entrance without being noticed.
- On weekends, the cadets are allowed to wear civilian clothes.
civilian government
1non-military government
A government run by ordinary (non-military) politicians, not by the army.
- After the coup, the country slowly returned to civilian government.
- International pressure helped restore civilian government after years of military rule.
- The new constitution guarantees that the military must answer to a civilian government.
civilian life
1life outside the military
Life as an ordinary person, not as a member of the army, navy, air force, or similar service.
- He struggled to adapt to civilian life after leaving the army.
- Many veterans say civilian life feels very different from military life.
- After the war, she returned to civilian life and became a teacher.
civilian population
1all civilians in an area
All the civilians who live in a place, spoken of as one group.
- The civilian population was ordered to evacuate the region.
- Sanctions have had a serious impact on the civilian population.
- Aid organizations are trying to support the civilian population caught in the conflict.
return to civilian life
1become a civilian again
To stop being in the army or another uniformed service and start living as an ordinary person again.
- Many soldiers find it hard to return to civilian life.
- After twenty years in the navy, he was nervous about returning to civilian life.
- Support programs help veterans return to civilian life.