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.

civilizational

ˌsi-və-lə-ˈzā-sh(ə-)nəl 

adjective

Synonyms of civilization

• lifestyle
• culture
• society
• life

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

Thanks to new drone footage and analysis of pollen grains, researchers have new clues as to why an ancient civilization created thousands of holes in the foothills of southern Peru. —Tricia Escobedo, CNN Money, 4 Dec. 2025

Western civilization, capitalism, imperialism—and Christianity itself—were humankind’s enemies. —Lee Habeeb, MSNBC Newsweek, 3 Dec. 2025

This advanced civilization then transferred knowledge to our hunter-gatherer ancestors before disappearing without a trace. —Rafael Perez, Oc Register, 1 Dec. 2025

But alongside his sweeping tour of declining civilizations from Mesopotamia through 20th-century Somalia, Kemp doesn’t argue that people should simply surrender to catastrophe. —Linda Kinstler, The Atlantic, 1 Dec. 2025

Word History

Etymology

see civil

First Known Use

1760, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Rhymes for civilization

• abbreviation
• abomination
• acceleration
• accentuation
• accommodation
• accreditation
• acculturation
• accumulation
• acetylation
• adjudication
• administration
• adulteration

Kids 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