- 1[uncountable] a state of human society that is very developed and organized the technology of modern civilization The settlers saw themselves as bringing progress and civilization to the wilderness.
Definitions on the go
Look up any word in the dictionary offline, anytime, anywhere with the Oxford Advanced Learner’s Dictionary app.
- 2[uncountable, countable] a society, its culture, and its way of life during a particular period of time or in a particular part of the world the civilizations of ancient Greece and Rome diseases that are common in Western civilization
- 3[uncountable] all the people in the world and the societies they live in, considered as a whole Environmental damage threatens the whole of civilization.
- 4[uncountable] (often humorous) a place that offers you the comfortable way of life of a modern society It's good to be back in civilization after two weeks in a tent!
Check pronunciation: civilization