Added 10 October 2026
civilisation
/ˌsɪv.ɪ.laɪˈzeɪ.ʃən/ noun
noun Definition from WordNet 3.1, Princeton University. Pronunciation from Wiktionary, via Kaikki.org. More about civilisation at Wordnik → Where our words come from →
- The social process whereby societies achieve an advanced stage of development and organization.
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A particular society at a particular time and place.
early Mayan civilization
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A society in an advanced state of social development (e.g., with complex legal and political and religious organizations).
the people slowly progressed from barbarism to civilization
Origin
Borrowed from French civilisation, equivalent to civilise + -ation or civil + -isation.
From Wiktionary, via Kaikki.org (CC BY-SA)