civility
noun
ci·vil·i·ty
sə-ˈvi-lə-tē 
plural civilities
1
a
: civilized conduct
b
: a polite act or expression
lacked the little civilities and hypocrisies of political society—
Roy Jenkins
Roy JenkinsThe men briefly exchanged civilities before the meeting began.
2
archaic
: training in the humanities
Examples of civility in a Sentence
They greeted each other with the usual exchange of civilities.
after the usual civilities, the parents and the principal had a serious talk about the boy
Recent Examples on the Web
The Common Sense Party leadership wants to elevate a few key concerns: the rule of law, principled bargaining and compromise, and civility in public life.
—Josh Hammer, MSNBC Newsweek, 8 July 2025
Cooperation, conversation and civility feel hard to come by for many people in this era of polarization.
—David Plazas, The Tennessean, 2 July 2025
Some moments blurred the line between menace and civility.
—Kian Tajbakhsh, The Atlantic, 27 June 2025
Just a few days after their parents and beloved dog Gilbert were maliciously gunned down in their home during the early hours of June 14, Sophie and Colin have extended to America a path back to civility.
—Donna Vickroy, Chicago Tribune, 19 June 2025
See All Example Sentences for civility
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Josh Hammer, MSNBC Newsweek, 8 July 2025
Cooperation, conversation and civility feel hard to come by for many people in this era of polarization.
—David Plazas, The Tennessean, 2 July 2025
Some moments blurred the line between menace and civility.
—Kian Tajbakhsh, The Atlantic, 27 June 2025
Just a few days after their parents and beloved dog Gilbert were maliciously gunned down in their home during the early hours of June 14, Sophie and Colin have extended to America a path back to civility.
—Donna Vickroy, Chicago Tribune, 19 June 2025
See All Example Sentences for civility
Cite this Entry
“Civility.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/civility. Accessed 24 Jul. 2025.
Copy CitationKids Definition
civility
noun
ci·vil·i·ty
sə-ˈvil-ət-ē
plural civilities
1
: civilized conduct
especially
: courtesy sense 1, politeness
2
: a polite act or expression
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