civilisation

UK: /ˌsɪvɪlaɪˈzeɪʃ^ən/

WordReference Random House Learner's Dictionary of American English © 2026

civ•i•li•za•tion /ˌsɪvələˈzeɪʃən/   n. 

1. an advanced state of human society, in which a high level of culture has been reached:
   [uncountable] Civilization is hard to measure, but ancient societies had achieved it.
2. those people that reached such a state:
   [uncountable] the contributions of ancient Greek civilization.
   [countable] great African civilizations of the past.
3. cities or populated areas in general:
   [uncountable] The first thing they did when they returned to civilization was to have a decent meal.

WordReference Random House Unabridged Dictionary of American English © 2026

civ•i•li•za•tion  (siv′ə lə zā′shən), n. 

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 or 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.

• French civilisation; see civilize, -ation
• 1765–75

civ′i•li•za′tion•al, adj. 

Collins Concise English Dictionary © HarperCollins Publishers::

civilization, civilisation / 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
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