civilisation

Everyday

1. A civilisation is a large, organised society with cities, government, writing, laws and culture, such as ancient Egypt or the Maya. tree →
2. Civilisation is the way of life of an advanced society, as in the history of civilisation. tree →
3. (informal) Civilisation can mean towns with comforts, as in back to civilisation after camping. tree →

In the lessons

In history lessons, pupils study early civilisations: Sumer, ancient Egypt, the Indus Valley, the Shang dynasty in China, ancient Greece, the Maya, the Aztecs and the Incas, and compare their farming, writing, beliefs and buildings. Many began by rivers. Historians now avoid calling some peoples more civilised than others.

Examples

• Ancient Egypt was a great civilisation on the Nile. tree →
• The Maya civilisation built huge pyramids. tree →
• Many early civilisations grew up near rivers. tree →
• Writing helped civilisations keep records. tree →
• After a week of camping we were glad to be back in civilisation. tree →
• The Indus Valley civilisation had drains and toilets. tree →

Note

UK spelling civilisation, US spelling civilization; both are correct. Countable for particular societies. Related: civil, civilised.