civilization

[ siv-uh-luh-zey-shuhn ]

noun

1. an advanced state of human society, in which a high level of culture, science, industry, and government has been reached.
2. those people or nations that have reached such a state.
3. any type of culture, society, etc., of a specific place, time, or group:

   Greek civilization.

4. the act or process of civilizing, as by bringing out of a savage, uneducated, or unrefined state, or of being civilized:

   Rome's civilization of barbaric tribes was admirable.

5. cultural refinement; refinement of thought and cultural appreciation:

   The letters of Madame de Sévigné reveal her wit and civilization.

6. cities or populated areas in general, as opposed to unpopulated or wilderness areas:

   The plane crashed in the jungle, hundreds of miles from civilization.

7. modern comforts and conveniences, as made possible by science and technology:

   After a week in the woods, without television or even running water, the campers looked forward to civilization again.

civilization

/ ˌsɪvɪlaɪˈzeɪʃən /

noun

1. a human society that has highly developed material and spiritual resources and a complex cultural, political, and legal organization; an advanced state in social development
2. the peoples or nations collectively who have achieved such a state
3. the total culture and way of life of a particular people, nation, region, or period

   classical civilization

4. the process of bringing or achieving civilization
5. intellectual, cultural, and moral refinement
6. cities or populated areas, as contrasted with sparsely inhabited areas, deserts, etc

Other Words From

• civi·li·zation·al adjective
• de·civi·li·zation noun
• hyper·civi·li·zation noun
• inter·civi·li·zation noun
• over·civi·li·zation noun
• postciv·i·li·zation adjective
• preciv·i·li·zation noun
• subciv·i·li·zation noun
• super·civi·li·zation noun

Word History and Origins

Origin of civilization¹

First recorded in 1765–75; from French civilisation; civilize, -ation

Example Sentences

“But he also keeps his promises. ... I’m not looking for a pastor in chief. I’m looking for a bodyguard for Western civilization.”

From Los Angeles Times

The DeSantis administration eliminated diversity programs, sought to weaken tenure protections and developed a center at the university to study Western civilization.

From New York Times

"Religion is one of the most fascinating and puzzling aspects of ancient civilizations," Tanasi said.

From Science Daily

"This research proves the concept for a broad platform for highly efficient conversion of renewable energy into chemicals, fuels and materials to address the fundamental limits of human civilization," Yuan said.

From Science Daily

Written in 1974 in opposition to the Vietnam War, the science fiction novel alternates between present and future civilizations on two worlds in a distant constellation.

From Los Angeles Times

Related Words

• advancement
• development
• education
• progress