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 African safari 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
Directed by James Mangold Many Westerns have big, grand ideas lurking under the surface: the battle between civilization and savagery, the individual's relationship to society, the distinction between fact and legend.
—
and Kevin Jacobsen, EW.com, 21 June 2024
The wrong kind of politics, Taylor implies, arises from the loss of a cosmic connection which the Romantics first sensed, and which now is part of the unhappy inheritance of our civilization.
—Adam Gopnik, The New Yorker, 17 June 2024
To Receive Two Career Honors At The Asian Film Awards
The sci-fi drama tells the story of humanity’s first contact with an alien civilization.
—Zac Ntim, Deadline, 17 June 2024
And as both the Maya civilization’s political and spiritual hub, the city is filled with evidence of Maya rituals, including those related to death.
—Sonja Anderson, Smithsonian Magazine, 13 June 2024
See all Example Sentences for civilization 
and Kevin Jacobsen, EW.com, 21 June 2024
The wrong kind of politics, Taylor implies, arises from the loss of a cosmic connection which the Romantics first sensed, and which now is part of the unhappy inheritance of our civilization.
—Adam Gopnik, The New Yorker, 17 June 2024
To Receive Two Career Honors At The Asian Film Awards
The sci-fi drama tells the story of humanity’s first contact with an alien civilization.
—Zac Ntim, Deadline, 17 June 2024
And as both the Maya civilization’s political and spiritual hub, the city is filled with evidence of Maya rituals, including those related to death.
—Sonja Anderson, Smithsonian Magazine, 13 June 2024
See all Example Sentences for civilization
These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'civilization.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.
Dictionary Entries Near civilization
Cite this Entry
“Civilization.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/civilization. Accessed 4 Jul. 2024.
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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