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
Stone tools could end civilization—all of it, permanently, forever.
—
Caroline Rose Giuliani, New Yorker, 19 May 2026
Civ 7 introduced a new approach to play wherein players would change civilizations from their initial selection twice by the end of a game.
—ArsTechnica, 19 May 2026
This confrontation between these two men says something about human civilization and its two faces.
—Elsa Keslassy, Variety, 17 May 2026
The actually unspeakable bit is whether women’s access to education and the job market should be restricted, in the name of producing more babies and saving civilization.
—Helen Lewis, The Atlantic, 14 May 2026
See All Example Sentences for civilization
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
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Caroline Rose Giuliani, New Yorker, 19 May 2026
Civ 7 introduced a new approach to play wherein players would change civilizations from their initial selection twice by the end of a game.
—ArsTechnica, 19 May 2026
This confrontation between these two men says something about human civilization and its two faces.
—Elsa Keslassy, Variety, 17 May 2026
The actually unspeakable bit is whether women’s access to education and the job market should be restricted, in the name of producing more babies and saving civilization.
—Helen Lewis, The Atlantic, 14 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 25 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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