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

And this is one of the reasons why there are some people in the United States who kind of regard Putin as - as - as the savior of - of western civilization, or - or Christianity and so forth, which is obviously kind of a - a perverse view of him as well. —CBS News, 4 May 2025

In a modern civilization, all three—religion, democracy and international good faith—complement and support each other. —Tom Rogers, MSNBC Newsweek, 29 Apr. 2025

This discovery adds to the understanding of Mayan civilization during the Late Postclassic period. —Stories By Real-Time News Team, With Ai Summarization, Miami Herald, 25 Apr. 2025

Commerce is one of the earliest human activities that contributed to the rise of human civilizations. —Craig Lebrau, USA Today, 24 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