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
People who support ancient astronaut theory, a belief that aliens are real and shaped early civilizations on Earth, have also suggested extraterrestrial connections.
—
Ashley Strickland, CNN Money, 21 Nov. 2025
In the film, Grainier is perennially haunted by the man’s ghost, his face staring passively at Grainier whenever his conscience twinges at the clearly distorted justice of American civilization on the verge of consolidating its modern morality.
—Rory Doherty, Time, 21 Nov. 2025
That what happened in February 2022, as well as what is happening in the Middle East against Israel, are only localized versions of a much larger, dangerous, and potentially deadly global competition that is led by several nations in opposition to western civilization.
—Benjamin Weinthal, FOXNews.com, 19 Nov. 2025
Suddenly, experts were rethinking the origins of early Mesoamerican civilizations.
—New Atlas, 14 Nov. 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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Ashley Strickland, CNN Money, 21 Nov. 2025
In the film, Grainier is perennially haunted by the man’s ghost, his face staring passively at Grainier whenever his conscience twinges at the clearly distorted justice of American civilization on the verge of consolidating its modern morality.
—Rory Doherty, Time, 21 Nov. 2025
That what happened in February 2022, as well as what is happening in the Middle East against Israel, are only localized versions of a much larger, dangerous, and potentially deadly global competition that is led by several nations in opposition to western civilization.
—Benjamin Weinthal, FOXNews.com, 19 Nov. 2025
Suddenly, experts were rethinking the origins of early Mesoamerican civilizations.
—New Atlas, 14 Nov. 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 22 Nov. 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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