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
Archaeologists have announced the discovery of 5,000-year-old remains apparently belonging to a high-society woman from an ancient Peruvian civilization.
—
Ashley J. Dimella, FOXNews.com, 30 Apr. 2025
But this grave, along with another elite Caral woman’s burial found in 2016, suggest that in fact, women were influential members of the ancient civilization.
—Sonja Anderson, Smithsonian Magazine, 29 Apr. 2025
These intrepid workers are cut off from civilization.
—Jack Kelly, Forbes.com, 29 Apr. 2025
The list took in the Rosetta Stone, the Sutton Hoo helmet from Anglo-Saxon Britain, and a Maya maize god statue dating to 3500 B.C., and each object was accompanied by a 14-minute story about its place in the arc of civilization.
—Samantha Conti, Footwear News, 28 Apr. 2025
See All Example Sentences for civilization
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
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Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors.
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Ashley J. Dimella, FOXNews.com, 30 Apr. 2025
But this grave, along with another elite Caral woman’s burial found in 2016, suggest that in fact, women were influential members of the ancient civilization.
—Sonja Anderson, Smithsonian Magazine, 29 Apr. 2025
These intrepid workers are cut off from civilization.
—Jack Kelly, Forbes.com, 29 Apr. 2025
The list took in the Rosetta Stone, the Sutton Hoo helmet from Anglo-Saxon Britain, and a Maya maize god statue dating to 3500 B.C., and each object was accompanied by a 14-minute story about its place in the arc of civilization.
—Samantha Conti, Footwear News, 28 Apr. 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 7 May. 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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