civilization

Universal Words (BrE also civilisation) noun 1 [U] a state of human society that is very developed and organized: the technology of modern civilization * The Victorians regarded the railways as bringing progress and civilization. 2 [U,C] a society, its culture and its way of life during a particular period of time or in a particular part of the world: the civilizations of ancient Greece and Rome * diseases that are common in Western civilization 3 [U] all the people in the world and the societies they live in, considered as a whole: Environmental damage threatens the whole of civilization. 4 [U] (often humorous) a place that offers you the comfortable way of life of a modern society: It's good to be back in civilization after two weeks in a tent!