n.
Pronunciation: ˌ si-v ə -l ə - ' z ā -sh ə n
Function: noun
Date: 1772
1 a : a relatively high level of cultural and technological development specifically : the stage of cultural development at which writing and the keeping of written records is attained b : the culture characteristic of a particular time or place
2 : the process of becoming civilized
3 a : refinement of thought, manners, or taste b : a situation of urban comfort
– civ · i · li · za · tion · al \ -shn ə l, -sh ə -n ə l \ adjective