civilization

Everyday

1. A large, organised society with cities, government, laws, writing, art and trade: «the ancient Egyptian civilization». tree →
2. Human society in general, especially its achievements: «the history of civilization». tree →
3. (informal, humorous) Comfortable modern life with shops, toilets and internet: «After camping we were glad to be back in civilization.» tree →

In the lessons

In history lessons pupils study early civilizations: Sumer, Egypt, the Indus Valley, China, Greece, Rome, the Maya, the Aztecs and the Benin Kingdom. These had farming, cities, writing and rulers. Be careful: calling some peoples «civilized» and others «uncivilized» was used in the past to justify unfair treatment.

Examples

• The ancient Egyptian civilization built the pyramids. tree →
• Writing is one sign of a civilization. tree →
• The Maya civilization had its own calendar. tree →
• After a week of camping we were happy to be back in civilization. tree →
• The Indus Valley civilization had drains and toilets. tree →
• Rivers helped early civilizations grow food. tree →
• All the means used by centuries of civilization in subduing wild beasts failed in this case. tree →

Note

Spelling: UK often «civilisation», US «civilization»; both are correct (Oxford spelling uses -ization). Adjective: civilized/civilised (polite, well-ordered). Countable for different civilizations.