civility
noun
ci·vil·i·ty
sə-ˈvi-lə-tē 
plural civilities
1
a
: civilized conduct
b
: a polite act or expression
… lacked the little civilities and hypocrisies of political society …—
Roy Jenkins
Roy JenkinsThe men briefly exchanged civilities before the meeting began.
2
archaic
: training in the humanities
Examples of civility in a Sentence
They greeted each other with the usual exchange of civilities.
after the usual civilities, the parents and the principal had a serious talk about the boy
Recent Examples on the Web
In November, Department of Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy also encouraged travelers to use headphones as part of a civility campaign, according to Spectrum News.
—Michael Cappetta, Travel + Leisure, 5 Mar. 2026
After a career defined by playing gangsters, an avenging taxi driver and a paranoid prize fighter, the Oscar-winning actor recited a call for civility, as first spoken by Abraham Lincoln.
—Hillel Italie, Chicago Tribune, 4 Mar. 2026
After a career defined by playing gangsters, an avenging taxi driver and a paranoid prize fighter, Robert De Niro will be issuing a call for civility, as first spoken by Abraham Lincoln.
—ABC News, 3 Mar. 2026
That our divorce, though managed with comparative civility, caused our daughter abiding pain hardened my resolve to cap my output at one.
—Daniel Smith, The Atlantic, 27 Feb. 2026
See All Example Sentences for civility
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Michael Cappetta, Travel + Leisure, 5 Mar. 2026
After a career defined by playing gangsters, an avenging taxi driver and a paranoid prize fighter, the Oscar-winning actor recited a call for civility, as first spoken by Abraham Lincoln.
—Hillel Italie, Chicago Tribune, 4 Mar. 2026
After a career defined by playing gangsters, an avenging taxi driver and a paranoid prize fighter, Robert De Niro will be issuing a call for civility, as first spoken by Abraham Lincoln.
—ABC News, 3 Mar. 2026
That our divorce, though managed with comparative civility, caused our daughter abiding pain hardened my resolve to cap my output at one.
—Daniel Smith, The Atlantic, 27 Feb. 2026
See All Example Sentences for civility
Cite this Entry
“Civility.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/civility. Accessed 14 Mar. 2026.
Copy CitationKids Definition
civility
noun
ci·vil·i·ty
sə-ˈvil-ət-ē
plural civilities
1
: civilized conduct
especially
: courtesy sense 1, politeness
2
: a polite act or expression
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