enemy combatant
The term "enemy combatant" has been notably used in the context of the U.S. military to describe individuals engaged in hostilities against the U.S. and its allies, often without the protections afforded to traditional prisoners of war.
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Definition
C1Military
(formal, legal)A person engaged in hostilities against a state or its allies during an armed conflict.
Example
- The captured enemy combatant was held in a secure facility.
- Under the new policy, enemy combatants are detained without formal charges.
C2Legal
(formal, technical)An individual involved in or supporting armed conflict against a nation, who does not qualify as a prisoner of war under international law.
Example
- The legal status of enemy combatants has been a subject of international debate.
- Enemy combatants are often denied the protections granted to prisoners of war.