civilization

noun

civ·​i·​li·​za·​tion ˌsi-və-lə-ˈzā-shən 

1

a

: a relatively high level of cultural and technological development

specifically : the stage of cultural development at which writing and the keeping of written records is attained

b

: the culture characteristic of a particular time or place

the impact of European civilization on the lands they colonized

2

: the process of becoming civilized

civilization is a slow process with many failures and setbacks

3

a

: refinement of thought, manners, or taste

exhibiting a high level of civilization

b

: a situation of urban comfort

Our camping trip was quite interesting, but it was great to get back to civilization.

civilizational

ˌsi-və-lə-ˈzā-sh(ə-)nəl 

adjective

Synonyms

• culture
• life
• lifestyle
• society

Examples of civilization in a Sentence

the impact of technical advancements on civilization

We are studying ancient Greek civilization.

a book about life on the planet after wars have destroyed civilization

Recent Examples on the Web

The sacred plant, long defiled, heralded, as in the time of the Inca and all the ancient civilizations of the Andes, as a gift of the gods. —Wade Davis, Rolling Stone, 6 Apr. 2025

The problem is that great nations throughout the history of Western civilization have been crossroads nations. —David Brooks, Mercury News, 4 Apr. 2025

Whichever party controls the House to a significant degree controls the country, which then steers the course of Western civilization. —Barnini Chakraborty, The Washington Examiner, 2 Apr. 2025

Musk made the Wisconsin race his Waterloo, saying Western civilization itself hung in the balance. —Philip Elliott, Time, 2 Apr. 2025

Word History

Etymology

see civil

First Known Use

1760, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Rhymes for civilization

• abbreviation
• abomination
• acceleration
• accentuation
• accommodation
• accreditation
• acculturation
• accumulation
• acetylation
• adjudication
• administration
• adulteration

Kids Definition

civilization

noun

civ·​i·​li·​za·​tion ˌsiv-ə-lə-ˈzā-shən 

1

a

: a high level (as in art, science, and government) of social development

b

: the way of life of a people

ancient Egyptian civilization

2

: the series of changes involved in becoming civilized

3

: refinement of thought, manners, or taste

4

: a situation of urban comfort