The meaning of CIVILIAN is a specialist in Roman or modern civil law. How to use civilian in a sentence.

CIVILIAN definition: a person who is not on active duty with a military, naval, police, or fire fighting organization. See examples of civilian used in a sentence.

In a military situation, civilian is used to describe people or things that are not military.

CIVILIAN meaning: 1. a person who is not a member of the police or the armed forces: 2. an ordinary person who is…. Learn more.

There are nine meanings listed in OED's entry for the word civilian, two of which are labelled obsolete. See ‘Meaning & use’ for definitions, usage, and quotation evidence.

Nov 14, 2025 · civilian (plural civilians) A person following the pursuits of civil life, especially one who is not an active member of the armed forces. quotations 1858, Prince George, letter to Sir …

civilian (sɪˈvɪljən) n (Military) a. a person whose primary occupation is civil or nonmilitary