civilisation
Pluralcivilisations
US spellingcivilization · also used in the UK
- 1A large, organised society with its own way of life, often a whole nation, or how far a society has developed.
In history this term we are learning about the Roman civilisation.
Many great civilisations have grown strong and then fallen.
UsageSay a civilisation for one society. Roman civilisation and the Roman civilisation are both fine, but say modern civilisation with no article.
Similarculture
Note
- 2Human society, especially the ordered world where people live together.
There is no shop or phone signal for miles, so we are a long way from civilisation.
After the storm, the sailors were happy to see civilisation again.
UsageOften a joke: back to civilisation means back to towns and comforts. Do not add a here.
Similarsociety
- 3The quality of being civilised, with good manners and a developed way of life.
My gran always said that saying thank you is a mark of civilisation.
Eating with a knife and fork was, to him, a basic sign of civilisation.
Similarrefinement, sophistication
Oppositebarbarism
- 4Bringing a civilised way of life to a people or place, or the change as they become civilised.
The Romans thought towns and baths were part of the civilisation of Britain.
Many Victorians believed that schools would bring about the civilisation of the poor.
Less common meaning
- 5Changing a criminal case in court into a civil case.
Note
Practice
Can you tell the meanings of civilisation apart? Answer 3 quick questions from this page, or write your own sentence and AI will check it.
Origin
It comes from the French word civilisation.
Checked 5 Nov 2026 · 1 fact
- English civilisation was borrowed from French civilisation. en.wiktionary.org