civilization

civ|i|li|za|tion

also civilisation BrE [ˌsıvəl-aıˈzeıʃən US -vələ-] n

1.) [U and C]

a society that is well organized and developed, used especially about a particular society in a particular place or at a particular time

→↑civilized

▪ modern American civilization

civilization of

▪ the ancient civilizations of Greece and Rome

2.) [U]

all the societies in the world considered as a whole

▪ The book explores the relationship between religion and civilization.

▪ the dawn of civilization (=the beginning of civilization)

3.) [U]

a place such as a city where you feel comfortable, especially because it is modern

→↑civilized

▪ After a week in the mountains all I wanted to do was get back to civilization.