a nonmilitary citizen
"The evacuation order was issued to protect every civilian in the area from the incoming artillery fire."
A person following the pursuits of civil life, especially one who is not an active member of the armed forces.
"The government warned that all civilian workers should remain indoors during the air raid."
In plain English: A civilian is any person who is not part of the military forces during wartime.
"The soldier helped evacuate the civilian from the building during the emergency."
Usage: Use civilian as a noun specifically for non-military members of society rather than using it interchangeably with "civilian population." When referring to people in general outside government roles, ensure context clarifies that you mean ordinary citizens not engaged in armed forces service.
associated with civil life or performed by persons who are not active members of the military
"civilian clothing"
"civilian life"
Not related to the military, police or other governmental professions.
"The school organized a community fair specifically for civilians living in the neighborhood."
In plain English: Civilian means something that is ordinary and not special, official, or military.
"The civilian population was evacuated before the storm arrived."
The word civilian comes from Middle English and Old French, where it originally meant something related to a citizen. It is formed by combining the root "civil" with the suffix "-ian."