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
There can be no civilization or human flourishing.
—
Josh Hammer, MSNBC Newsweek, 12 Sep. 2025
The people who came here ignored all those good ways and forced their concept of civilization on us.
—Richard B. Williams, Denver Post, 10 Sep. 2025
Here on Earth, our thin atmosphere, dominated by nitrogen and oxygen gases, holds the key evidence that an alien civilization would need to determine that yes, our world is teeming with life.
—Ethan Siegel, Big Think, 10 Sep. 2025
The other one is connected to civilization and is about constantly running away, going to places.
—Lily Ford, HollywoodReporter, 9 Sep. 2025
See All Example Sentences for civilization
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
show current usage.
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Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors.
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Josh Hammer, MSNBC Newsweek, 12 Sep. 2025
The people who came here ignored all those good ways and forced their concept of civilization on us.
—Richard B. Williams, Denver Post, 10 Sep. 2025
Here on Earth, our thin atmosphere, dominated by nitrogen and oxygen gases, holds the key evidence that an alien civilization would need to determine that yes, our world is teeming with life.
—Ethan Siegel, Big Think, 10 Sep. 2025
The other one is connected to civilization and is about constantly running away, going to places.
—Lily Ford, HollywoodReporter, 9 Sep. 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 16 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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