civilian
n. countablen. someone who is not a member of the police or the military. You use this word to distinguish regular people from those in uniform.
n. a person not in the armed services or the police force. Used to distinguish non-combatants from military personnel in legal and social contexts.
The soldiers were careful to protect every civilian in the area.
After the war ended, many soldiers found it difficult to adjust to civilian life and office jobs.
International law provides specific protections for any civilian caught in a conflict zone, requiring that they be treated humanely and kept separate from military targets.
From Middle English cyvylien, from Old French civilien. Equivalent to civil + -ian.
Often used as a modifier before another noun, such as 'civilian clothing' or 'civilian life'.