Main Entry:

civ·i·li·za·tion

Pronunciation:

\ˌsi-və-lə-ˈzā-shən\

Function:

noun

Date:

1772

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 place2: the process of becoming civilized3 a: refinement of thought, manners, or taste b: a situation of urban comfort

— civ·i·li·za·tion·al \-shnəl, -shə-n^əl\ adjective