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
Nothing resembled the civilization that had been there three weeks previously.
—
Keith Sharon, The Tennessean, 29 Aug. 2025
Paranoia-inducing fictions like Wells’s aside, the public came to view Martians not as monsters but as representatives of a higher civilization—as angels, even, at a time when new science was shaking old religious certainties.
—Jon Allsop, New Yorker, 29 Aug. 2025
There has been much criticism of Elon Musk's suggestion in early 2025, in conversation with Joe Rogan, that empathy is a weakness of Western civilization.
—Howard Steele, MSNBC Newsweek, 29 Aug. 2025
Its destructive sweep ultimately altered the course of Western civilization, contributing to the rise of new political powers and reshaping the geopolitical landscape.
—Mrigakshi Dixit, Interesting Engineering, 28 Aug. 2025
See All Example Sentences for civilization
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Keith Sharon, The Tennessean, 29 Aug. 2025
Paranoia-inducing fictions like Wells’s aside, the public came to view Martians not as monsters but as representatives of a higher civilization—as angels, even, at a time when new science was shaking old religious certainties.
—Jon Allsop, New Yorker, 29 Aug. 2025
There has been much criticism of Elon Musk's suggestion in early 2025, in conversation with Joe Rogan, that empathy is a weakness of Western civilization.
—Howard Steele, MSNBC Newsweek, 29 Aug. 2025
Its destructive sweep ultimately altered the course of Western civilization, contributing to the rise of new political powers and reshaping the geopolitical landscape.
—Mrigakshi Dixit, Interesting Engineering, 28 Aug. 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 5 Sep. 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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