civilization

pronunciation

How to pronounce civilization in British English: UK [ˌsɪvəlaɪˈzeɪʃn]word uk audio image

How to pronounce civilization in American English: US [ˌsɪvələˈzeɪʃn] word us audio image

  • Noun:
    a society in an advanced state of social development (e.g., with complex legal and political and religious organizations)
    the social process whereby societies achieve civilization
    a particular society at a particular time and place
    the quality of excellence in thought and manners and taste

Word Origin

civilization (n.)
1704, "law which makes a criminal process civil," from civilize + -ation. Sense of "civilized condition" first recorded 1772, probably from French civilisation, to be an opposite to barbarity and a distinct word from civility. Sense of a particular human society in a civilized condition, considered as a whole over time, is from 1857. Related: Civilizational.

Synonym

n.

culture

Antonym

Example

1. You say your civilization is more advanced than ours .
2. People 's university added a new major in 2005 : the study of ancient chinese civilization .
3. Defenders of civilization or merciless rack-renters ?
4. Chinese take pride in their civilization .
5. He couldn 't wait to return to civilization .

more: >How to Use "civilization" with Example Sentences