civil defense

noun

: the system of protective measures and emergency relief activities conducted by civilians in case of hostile attack, sabotage, or natural disaster

Examples of civil defense in a Sentence

She's in training to be part of the local civil defense. the head of civil defense
Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Lebanon's civil defense said earlier that one of its members was killed in an Israeli attack on the south. — CBS News, 8 May 2026 Khalil remained under the rubble for hours before the Lebanese army, civil defense and the Lebanese Red Cross were able to get to the scene hours later. — ABC News, 22 Apr. 2026 Onlookers were silent as a human chain of civil defense workers and volunteers carefully extracted the person from within the ruins. — Gonzalo Zegarra, CNN Money, 29 June 2026 Israelis were told to follow instructions from civil defense authorities regarding staying close to and entering safe rooms. — Scott Peterson, Christian Science Monitor, 8 June 2026 See All Example Sentences for civil defense

Word History

First Known Use

1939, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of civil defense was in 1939

Rhymes for civil defense

See All Rhymes for civil defense

Browse Nearby Words

civil death
civil defense
civil disobedience
See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Civil defense.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/civil%20defense. Accessed 7 Jul. 2026.

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Kids Definition

civil defense

noun
: protective actions and emergency relief activities carried on by civilians in case of enemy attack or natural disaster

More from Merriam-Webster on civil defense

Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about civil defense

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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