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 beliefs, customs, arts, etc. characteristic of a particular time or place : culture entry 1 sense 1a

the impact of European civilization on the lands they colonized

also, plural civilizations : a well-organized and developed society : culture entry 1 sense 1b

ancient/modern civilizations

a history of Mayan/Babylonian/Chinese civilization

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 of civilization

• lifestyle
• culture
• society
• life

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

For thousands of years, people have built in places where the earth roared long before human civilizations arose. — Syra Ortiz-Blanes, Miami Herald, 24 July 2026

Can Nolan come back just three short years after Oppenheimer and take Best Picture (and likely Best Director) again with a big, Imax-y movie about a man whose one great idea won a war but damned civilization? — Joe Reid, Vulture, 24 July 2026

Set thousands of years in the future, the Blight has wiped out most of civilization, and while the name sounds gruesome and terrifying, the Blight itself is verdant and filled with flowers. — Ollie Barder, Forbes.com, 23 July 2026

Hikers follow ancient stone pathways built by the Inca civilization, crossing cloud forests, high mountain passes, and ruins scattered along the route. — Ashley Lynch, Kansas City Star, 23 July 2026

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