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.
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
Chachapoyas, Peru In the mountains of northern Peru sits Chachapoyas, a city named in honor of the civilization that lived here from 800 BCE to 1470.
—
Catherine Garcia, TheWeek, 13 May 2026
The harshness or relentlessness of weather can turn friends to lovers, can cause others to lose their minds, can provoke travel across continents, can cancel plans, can reroute rivers, can flood civilizations, can incite both panic and delight, can wash away a life’s work, can set fire to forests.
—Literary Hub, 11 May 2026
Would a just and merciful God approve of daily bombing raids and threats to destroy civilian infrastructure, let alone a threat to destroy an entire civilization?
—Kenneth Seeskin, Chicago Tribune, 11 May 2026
History doesn't guarantee the victory of free civilization.
—CBS News, 10 May 2026
See All Example Sentences for civilization
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Catherine Garcia, TheWeek, 13 May 2026
The harshness or relentlessness of weather can turn friends to lovers, can cause others to lose their minds, can provoke travel across continents, can cancel plans, can reroute rivers, can flood civilizations, can incite both panic and delight, can wash away a life’s work, can set fire to forests.
—Literary Hub, 11 May 2026
Would a just and merciful God approve of daily bombing raids and threats to destroy civilian infrastructure, let alone a threat to destroy an entire civilization?
—Kenneth Seeskin, Chicago Tribune, 11 May 2026
History doesn't guarantee the victory of free civilization.
—CBS News, 10 May 2026
See All Example Sentences for civilization
Cite this Entry
“Civilization.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/civilization. Accessed 17 May. 2026.
Copy CitationKids 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
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