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 culture characteristic of a particular time or place
the impact of European civilization on the lands they colonized
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
The TikTok video shows the moment when Hawkins guided the pup back toward civilization, both of them moving with cautious determination.
—
Ashley Vega, PEOPLE, 17 Oct. 2025
This is where the story of the Americas began in the remote area of El Mirador National Park, where the Mayan civilization thrived 2,000 years ago.
—ABC News, 16 Oct. 2025
The territory’s northern civilization of Nubia supplied much of the gold for ancient Babylon and Egypt, including for Tutankhamen’s tomb.
—Charlie Campbell, Time, 15 Oct. 2025
Millions of Indigenous peoples with rich cultures and civilizations had already been here for thousands of years.
—Frank Vaisvilas, jsonline.com, 15 Oct. 2025
See All Example Sentences for civilization
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Ashley Vega, PEOPLE, 17 Oct. 2025
This is where the story of the Americas began in the remote area of El Mirador National Park, where the Mayan civilization thrived 2,000 years ago.
—ABC News, 16 Oct. 2025
The territory’s northern civilization of Nubia supplied much of the gold for ancient Babylon and Egypt, including for Tutankhamen’s tomb.
—Charlie Campbell, Time, 15 Oct. 2025
Millions of Indigenous peoples with rich cultures and civilizations had already been here for thousands of years.
—Frank Vaisvilas, jsonline.com, 15 Oct. 2025
See All Example Sentences for civilization
Cite this Entry
“Civilization.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/civilization. Accessed 18 Oct. 2025.
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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