Civilian vs. Citizen: Know the Difference
By Shumaila Saeed || Updated on December 25, 2023
Civilian is a person not in the armed services or the police force. Citizen is a legally recognized subject or national of a state or commonwealth.
Key Differences
Civilian is a term used to describe individuals who are not part of any military, paramilitary, police, or firefighting forces. Citizen, in contrast, refers to an individual who is legally recognized as a member of a country or state, with specific rights and duties.
Shumaila Saeed
Dec 04, 2023
The term Civilian emphasizes the non-military status of a person, often used in contexts where the distinction between military and non-military personnel is important. Citizen encompasses a broader legal and political relationship between an individual and their state, including aspects of rights, responsibilities, and political participation.
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Dec 04, 2023
While Civilian status is determined by the absence of a military or comparable role, Citizen status is typically established through birth, naturalization, or legal processes, reflecting a formal membership in a political community.
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Dec 04, 2023
Citizens possess certain rights and obligations, such as voting, paying taxes, and abiding by the law, which are a part of their civic identity. Civilians, meanwhile, may or may not have such civic responsibilities, depending on their citizenship status.
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Dec 04, 2023
In international law and discourse, Civilians are often protected under various treaties and conventions, especially in the context of armed conflicts. Citizens, apart from these protections, also have the right to participate in the political process, receive state services, and are subject to the laws of their country.
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Dec 04, 2023
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Comparison Chart
Definition
A person not part of the military, police, or firefighting forces.
A legally recognized subject or national of a state or commonwealth.
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Dec 04, 2023
Context of Use
Often used to distinguish from military personnel.
Used to indicate membership and legal status within a state.
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Dec 04, 2023
Rights and Duties
No specific rights or duties associated with being a civilian.
Specific rights and duties, including voting and obeying laws.
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Dec 04, 2023
Basis of Classification
Based on non-participation in military or similar forces.
Based on legal status obtained by birth, naturalization, or legal processes.
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Dec 04, 2023
Protection
Protected under international law, especially in conflict zones.
Protected by the laws of their country and entitled to participate in civic life.
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Dec 04, 2023
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Civilian and Citizen Definitions
Civilian
Someone who is not a member of the military, police, or firefighting services.
The charity provides aid to civilians affected by the war.
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Nov 27, 2023
Citizen
A member of a state or nation who owes allegiance to its government and is entitled to its protection.
As citizens, they were called to serve on the jury.
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Nov 27, 2023
Civilian
A person who is not on active duty with a military, naval, police, or firefighting organization.
As a civilian, he was not accustomed to military discipline.
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Nov 27, 2023
Citizen
Someone with the legal right to belong to a particular country.
He became a citizen after completing the naturalization process.
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Nov 27, 2023
Civilian
A person not in the armed forces or the police.
The new policy applies to civilians, not military personnel.
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Nov 27, 2023
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Citizen
A person entitled to the rights and privileges of a state.
Every citizen is entitled to freedom of speech.
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Nov 27, 2023
Civilian
A nonmilitary person.
Civilians were evacuated from the conflict zone.
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Nov 27, 2023
Citizen
An inhabitant of a particular town or city.
The citizens of New York are known for their resilience.
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Nov 27, 2023
Civilian
An individual not involved in law enforcement or armed forces.
The new law affects both military personnel and civilians.
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Nov 27, 2023
Citizen
A person owing loyalty to and entitled by birth or naturalization to the protection of a state or nation.
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Oct 19, 2023
Civilian
A person who is not an active member of the military, the police, or a belligerent group in a conflict.
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Oct 19, 2023
Citizen
A resident of a city or town, especially one entitled to vote and enjoy other privileges there.
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Oct 19, 2023
Civilian
A person who is not an employee of the government
Programs available to both government employees and civilians.
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Oct 19, 2023
Citizen
A native, inhabitant, or denizen of a particular place
Citizens of rural Utah.
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Oct 19, 2023
Civilian
Of, relating to, or being a civilian or civilians
Civilian clothes.
A civilian career.
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Oct 19, 2023
Citizen
A resident of a city or town, especially one with legally-recognized rights or duties.
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Oct 19, 2023
Civilian
A person following the pursuits of civil life, especially one who is not an active member of the armed forces.
Three civilians were apprehended by the soldiers and taken away in a military vehicle.
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Oct 19, 2023
Citizen
A legally-recognized member of a state, with associated rights and obligations; a person considered in terms of this role.
I am a Roman citizen.
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Oct 19, 2023
Civilian
(informal) A person who does not belong to a particular group or engage in a particular activity, an outsider.
The bathroom was for employees only, so civilians weren't allowed to use it.
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Oct 19, 2023
Citizen
An inhabitant or occupant: a member of any place.
Diogenes reckoned himself a citizen of the world.
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Oct 19, 2023
Citizen
(Christianity) A resident of the heavenly city or later of the kingdom of God: a Christian; a good Christian.
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Oct 19, 2023
Citizen
A civilian, as opposed to a police officer, soldier, or member of some other specialized (usually state) group.
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Oct 19, 2023
Civilian
Not related to the military, police or other governmental professions.
The three detainees were actually army defectors wearing civilian clothing.
He worked as a civilian journalist for ten years before being employed by the public broadcaster.
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Oct 19, 2023
Citizen
(obsolete) An ordinary person, as opposed to nobles and landed gentry on one side and peasants, craftsmen, and laborers on the other.
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Oct 19, 2023
Civilian
One skilled in the civil law.
Ancient civilians and writers upon government.
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Oct 19, 2023
Citizen
A term of address among French citizens during the French Revolution or towards its supporters elsewhere; dated a term of address among socialists and communists.
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Oct 19, 2023
Civilian
One whose pursuits are those of civil life, not military or clerical.
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Oct 19, 2023
Citizen
One who enjoys the freedom and privileges of a city; a freeman of a city, as distinguished from a foreigner, or one not entitled to its franchises.
That large body of the working men who were not counted as citizens and had not so much as a vote to serve as an anodyne to their stomachs.
Shumaila Saeed
Oct 19, 2023
Civilian
Associated with or performed by civilians as contrasted with the military;
Civilian clothing
Civilian life
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Oct 19, 2023
Citizen
A person, native or naturalized, of either sex, who owes allegiance to a government, and is entitled to reciprocal protection from it.
Shumaila Saeed
Oct 19, 2023
Citizen
One who is domiciled in a country, and who is a citizen, though neither native nor naturalized, in such a sense that he takes his legal status from such country.
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Oct 19, 2023
Citizen
Having the condition or qualities of a citizen, or of citizens; as, a citizen soldiery.
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Oct 19, 2023
Citizen
Of or pertaining to the inhabitants of a city; characteristic of citizens; effeminate; luxurious.
I am not well,But not so citizen a wanton asTo seem to die ere sick.
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Oct 19, 2023
Citizen
A native or naturalized member of a state or other political community
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Oct 19, 2023
Citizen
A legally recognized subject or national of a state or commonwealth.
As a citizen, she has the right to vote.
Shumaila Saeed
Nov 27, 2023
Repeatedly Asked Queries
What defines a civilian?
A civilian is defined as an individual who is not a member of the military, police, or firefighting forces.
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Dec 04, 2023
Can a person be a civilian and not a citizen?
Yes, a person can be a civilian without being a citizen of the state they reside in.
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Dec 04, 2023
What are the rights of a citizen?
Citizens have rights like voting, freedom of speech, and the right to a fair trial.
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Dec 04, 2023
Is a police officer considered a civilian?
No, police officers are not considered civilians as they are part of law enforcement.
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Dec 04, 2023
Are all residents of a country considered citizens?
No, not all residents are citizens; some may be permanent residents, refugees, or undocumented individuals.
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Dec 04, 2023
Can a non-citizen be a civilian?
Yes, non-citizens can be civilians if they are not part of military or similar forces.
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Dec 04, 2023
Can a citizen lose their citizenship?
Yes, citizenship can be revoked under certain circumstances, such as fraud in the naturalization process.
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Dec 04, 2023
What responsibilities do citizens have?
Citizens are responsible for obeying laws, paying taxes, and participating in civic duties like jury duty.
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Dec 04, 2023
What is dual citizenship?
Dual citizenship is when a person is legally recognized as a citizen of two countries.
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Dec 04, 2023
Are children of non-citizen parents citizens?
It depends on the country's laws; some grant citizenship by birthplace, others by parentage.
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Dec 04, 2023
Can civilians be targeted in war?
International law prohibits targeting civilians in war.
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Dec 04, 2023
Do citizens have to serve in the military?
This depends on the country's laws; some have mandatory military service.
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Dec 04, 2023
Does civilian status change during wartime?
A person remains a civilian unless they enlist or are conscripted into military service.
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Dec 04, 2023
How does one become a citizen?
Citizenship can be obtained by birth, naturalization, or other legal means.
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Dec 04, 2023
What is the difference between permanent residency and citizenship?
Permanent residents have the right to live in a country but don't have all the rights of a citizen, like voting.
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Dec 04, 2023
Do civilians have any legal protections?
Civilians are protected under international law, especially in conflict zones.
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Dec 04, 2023
What is a naturalized citizen?
A naturalized citizen is someone who has become a citizen through the legal process after moving to a new country.
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Dec 04, 2023
Are all citizens required to vote?
Voting is a right for citizens in many countries, but it's not mandatory in all.
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Dec 04, 2023
Can a citizen be a member of the military?
Yes, citizens can choose to join the military.
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Dec 04, 2023
Are immigrants automatically citizens?
No, immigrants must go through a legal process to become citizens.
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Dec 04, 2023
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About Author
Written by
Shumaila SaeedShumaila Saeed, an expert content creator with 6 years of experience, specializes in distilling complex topics into easily digestible comparisons, shining a light on the nuances that both inform and educate readers with clarity and accuracy.
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