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
Human beings, the only intelligent, advanced civilization known to us, have only been around for a couple of hundred thousand years.
—
Ethan Siegel, Big Think, 2 Oct. 2025
Ray is living off-the-grid in the woods when Bean’s character tracks him down, trying desperately to convince him to return to civilization.
—Brent Lang, Variety, 2 Oct. 2025
The Bible’s Old and New Testaments, as well as the Qur’an, reference lunar phases to mark certain months and dates in the year—a practice also used by Ancient Chinese, Mayan, and South Asian civilizations.
—Lisa Stardust, Vogue, 2 Oct. 2025
Political hubris and mismanagement have reduced one of the oldest water civilizations to a parable of collapse.
—Nik Kowsar, Time, 2 Oct. 2025
See All Example Sentences for civilization
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Ethan Siegel, Big Think, 2 Oct. 2025
Ray is living off-the-grid in the woods when Bean’s character tracks him down, trying desperately to convince him to return to civilization.
—Brent Lang, Variety, 2 Oct. 2025
The Bible’s Old and New Testaments, as well as the Qur’an, reference lunar phases to mark certain months and dates in the year—a practice also used by Ancient Chinese, Mayan, and South Asian civilizations.
—Lisa Stardust, Vogue, 2 Oct. 2025
Political hubris and mismanagement have reduced one of the oldest water civilizations to a parable of collapse.
—Nik Kowsar, Time, 2 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 10 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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