ALL meanings of civil disobedience
civ·il dis·o·be·di·ence
C c - uncountable noun civil disobedience Civil disobedience is the refusal by ordinary people in a country to obey laws or pay taxes, usually as a protest. 3
- noun civil disobedience a refusal to obey laws, pay taxes, etc: a nonviolent means of protesting or of attempting to achieve political goals 3
- noun civil disobedience nonviolent opposition to a government policy or law by refusing to comply with it, on the grounds of conscience 3
- noun civil disobedience the refusal to obey certain laws or governmental demands for the purpose of influencing legislation or government policy, characterized by the employment of such nonviolent techniques as boycotting, picketing, and nonpayment of taxes. Compare noncooperation (def 2), passive resistance. 1
- noun civil disobedience (initial capital letters, italics) an essay (1848) by Thoreau. 1
- noun civil disobedience peaceful protest 1
- noun civil disobedience A form of social protest, involving the active but non-violent refusal to obey certain laws, demands, or commands of an established authority, because they are considered to be morally wrong or detrimental. 0