civil

7 definitions • 10 examples

not military or religious, but relating to the ordinary people of a country:

Helicopters are mainly used for military rather than civil use.

civil government After ten years of military dictatorship, the country now has a civil government.

civil ceremony We weren't married in church, but we had a civil ceremony in a registry office.

relating to private arguments between people or organizations rather than criminal matters:

civil court The matter would be better dealt with in the civil court rather than by an expensive criminal proceeding.

polite and formal:

His manner was civil, though not particularly friendly.

of or relating to the ordinary people of a country, rather than members of religious organizations or the military:

These helicopters are for rescue and other civil use.

We were married in a civil ceremony.

Civil also refers to the legal system governing personal and business matters:

civil court

polite and formal:

We were civil to each other, but we were both still angry.

relating to legal disagreements between people or businesses, rather than criminal activities:

civil action/lawsuit/case, etc. The Chapter 11 action suspended a civil trial in which two plaintiffs sought compensation totaling more than $160 million.