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
King, kaiser, czar, empire, democracy, European civilization, national honor—the reasons, in hindsight, make no sense.
—
George Packer, The Atlantic, 5 Feb. 2025
An Indian state leader is offering $1 million to anyone who can decipher an ancient script from the Indus Valley Bronze Age civilization.
—The Editors Of Artnews, ARTnews.com, 3 Feb. 2025
Those concerned with historical accuracy won’t love this change, though the developer clearly designed the leaders to have some mechanical synergy with historically appropriate civilizations; these pairings are even given special labeling in the civilization-selection screen.
—Ars Technica, 3 Feb. 2025
Your leader can now be picked independently from your civilization and the latter is switched out two times per match.
—David Faris, Newsweek, 2 Feb. 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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George Packer, The Atlantic, 5 Feb. 2025
An Indian state leader is offering $1 million to anyone who can decipher an ancient script from the Indus Valley Bronze Age civilization.
—The Editors Of Artnews, ARTnews.com, 3 Feb. 2025
Those concerned with historical accuracy won’t love this change, though the developer clearly designed the leaders to have some mechanical synergy with historically appropriate civilizations; these pairings are even given special labeling in the civilization-selection screen.
—Ars Technica, 3 Feb. 2025
Your leader can now be picked independently from your civilization and the latter is switched out two times per match.
—David Faris, Newsweek, 2 Feb. 2025
See all Example Sentences for civilization
Dictionary Entries Near civilization
Cite this Entry
“Civilization.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/civilization. Accessed 13 Feb. 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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