[civ.i.li.za.tion] n (1772) 1 a: a relatively high level of cultural and technological development; specif: 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 adj