KIA
adj. C1 Advanced US //ˈkiɝ// kia
adj. Stands for killed in action. This is used to describe a soldier who died while fighting in a war.
adj. Abbreviation for killed in action; refers to a member of the armed forces who has died during a military engagement. Often used as a postpositive modifier or after a linking verb.
The soldier was listed as KIA after the battle.
The memorial wall honors those who were KIA during the conflict to ensure their sacrifice is never forgotten.
Military records were updated to reflect that the missing pilot was officially KIA, providing the family with a somber form of closure after years of uncertainty.
Usage
Typically used as an acronym in military and journalistic contexts; often follows the verb 'to be' or appears in casualty lists.