noncombatant

noun

non·​com·​bat·​ant ˌnän-kəm-ˈba-tᵊnt 

also

ˌnän-ˈkäm-bə-tənt 

: one that does not engage in combat: such as

a

: a member (such as a chaplain) of the armed forces whose duties do not include fighting

b

: civilian

noncombatant adjective

Examples of noncombatant in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

And in December, three Israeli hostages waving a white flag were killed by Israeli troops in Gaza in a mistake that brought into question how Israeli forces treated unarmed noncombatants on the battlefield. —Yuliya Talmazan, NBC News, 23 June 2024

By embedding in social institutions, such as schools, universities, charities, and religious congregations, terrorist groups become a part of the fabric of communities, better able to win more recruits and the support of noncombatants. —Robert A. Pape, Foreign Affairs, 21 June 2024

Whatever the case, Egypt’s dereliction to directly aid neighboring noncombatants is morally repugnant. —David Epstein, Sun Sentinel, 19 June 2024

The staggering loss of innocent lives is a direct result of the aggressive military strategies employed by the Netanyahu administration, which prioritize territorial and political gains over human rights and the protection of noncombatants. —Voice Of The People, New York Daily News, 17 June 2024

Word History

First Known Use

1811, in the meaning defined above

Kids Definition

noncombatant

noun

non·​com·​ba·​tant

ˌnän-kəm-ˈbat-ᵊnt,

(ˈ)nän-ˈkäm-bət-ənt

1

: a member (as a chaplain) of the armed forces whose duties do not include fighting

2

: civilian

noncombatant adjective