civilization

The definition of civilization refers to a society or group of people or the process of achieving a higher state of social development.

(noun)

  1. An example of civilization is the Mesopotamian civilization.
  2. An example of civilization is an industrial society that has arts, sciences, and machines such as cars.

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See civilization in Webster's New World College Dictionary

noun

  1. the process of civilizing or becoming civilized
  2. the condition of being civilized; social organization of a high order, marked by the development and use of a written language and by advances in the arts and sciences, government, etc.
  3. the total culture of a particular people, nation, period, etc.
  4. the countries and peoples considered to have reached a high stage of social and cultural development
  5. intellectual and cultural refinement
  6. the amenities, esp. creature comforts of civilized life

Origin: ML civilizatio

See civilization in American Heritage Dictionary 4

noun
  1. An advanced state of intellectual, cultural, and material development in human society, marked by progress in the arts and sciences, the extensive use of record-keeping, including writing, and the appearance of complex political and social institutions.
  2. The type of culture and society developed by a particular nation or region or in a particular epoch: Mayan civilization; the civilization of ancient Rome.
  3. The act or process of civilizing or reaching a civilized state.
  4. Cultural or intellectual refinement; good taste.
  5. Modern society with its conveniences: returned to civilization after camping in the mountains.

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