civilization
Definitions
An advanced and organized human society with cities, laws, and developed culture
文明，文明社会
The process or state of being civilized; the comforts of modern settled life
开化，文明状态；现代文明生活
Root Breakdown
Root-derivedcivil (of citizens) + -ize (make into) + -ation (the result) = 'the state that results from making people into citizens.' Hidden inside is the whole chain civis → civilis → civilize → civilization: the citizen idea scaled all the way up to an entire organized society with cities, laws and culture.
Why It Means This
Civilization is the largest member of the civ family, but it's built from the smallest idea. Trace it back: civis (one citizen) → civilis (of citizens) → civilize (turn people into settled, law-abiding citizens) → civilization (the whole resulting condition). So when we speak of a 'lost civilization,' we mean a complete society that had cities, laws and a shared culture — one citizen's idea grown to society-size.
Usage Guide
- Spelling: civilization (AmE) / civilisation (BrE) — same word.
- As a count noun: 'ancient civilizations.' As an uncount noun: 'the comforts of civilization.'
- Western/modern/human civilization: large abstract uses, usually uncountable.
Example Sentences
- 1.
Ancient Egypt was one of the earliest great civilizations.
- 2.
After weeks in the mountains, returning to civilization felt strange.
- 3.
Some historians believe climate change can destroy an entire civilization.