Added 9 October 2026
civilization
/ˌsɪv.ɪ.laɪˈzeɪ.ʃən/ noun
In Latin: cīvīlitās Wiktionary
noun Definition from WordNet 3.1, Princeton University. Pronunciation from Wiktionary, via Kaikki.org. More about civilization at Wordnik → Where our words come from →
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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
- 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
Origin
Borrowed from French civilisation, equivalent to civilize + -ation or civil + -ization.
From Wiktionary, via Kaikki.org (CC BY-SA)