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
Although more expensive and labor-intensive, the practice replaces much of the Central Valley’s roughly 500,000 acres of rice with temporary wetlands during the winter, a semblance of how the land would naturally function without dams, and levees and civilization.
—
Jake Goodrick, Sacbee.com, 4 Sep. 2025
Viral posts present them as a lost civilization’s handiwork; geologists call them nunataks, mountain summits standing above the ice, and, in some cases, glacial horns whose sharp faces were sculpted by erosion.
—Kaif Shaikh, Interesting Engineering, 4 Sep. 2025
Backcountry exploration When people seek a break from the pace of modern life and the demands of being digitally connected, national parks contain expanses of backcountry, where signs of civilization are sparse, and where profound natural beauty, adventure and solitude are still available.
—Jeffrey C. Hallo, The Conversation, 4 Sep. 2025
Corn was domesticated in south central Mexico around 9,000 years ago and was an essential ingredient in Aztec civilization.
—Saveur Editors, Saveur, 4 Sep. 2025
See All Example Sentences for civilization
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Jake Goodrick, Sacbee.com, 4 Sep. 2025
Viral posts present them as a lost civilization’s handiwork; geologists call them nunataks, mountain summits standing above the ice, and, in some cases, glacial horns whose sharp faces were sculpted by erosion.
—Kaif Shaikh, Interesting Engineering, 4 Sep. 2025
Backcountry exploration When people seek a break from the pace of modern life and the demands of being digitally connected, national parks contain expanses of backcountry, where signs of civilization are sparse, and where profound natural beauty, adventure and solitude are still available.
—Jeffrey C. Hallo, The Conversation, 4 Sep. 2025
Corn was domesticated in south central Mexico around 9,000 years ago and was an essential ingredient in Aztec civilization.
—Saveur Editors, Saveur, 4 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 11 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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