civil action

noun

In the United States, a lawsuit between private parties, including an action by a private person against a government entity, which will be treated as a private party by the court.

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Meanings

nouncivil action (plural civil actions)

plural civil actions

  1. lawIn the United States, a lawsuit between private parties, including an action by a private person against a government entity, which will be treated as a private party by the court.
  2. lawIn Roman Dutch law, a lawsuit that is not criminal in nature. It may be between the state and a private party. It is usually based in contract, or delict (tort).
Cite this entry
APA

civil action. (n.d.). In WatkinsX Dictionary. Retrieved November 4, 2026, from https://dictionary.watkinsx.com/word/civil%20action

MLA

“civil action.” WatkinsX Dictionary, https://dictionary.watkinsx.com/word/civil%20action. Accessed November 4, 2026.

Chicago

WatkinsX Dictionary, s.v. “civil action,” accessed November 4, 2026, https://dictionary.watkinsx.com/word/civil%20action.

Source: civil action on Wiktionary, CC BY-SA 4.0.