/ˌsɪvələˈzeɪʃn/ N-UNCOUNT a state of human society that is very developed ord organized文明 the technology of modern civilization The Victorians regarded the railways as bringing progress and civilization. [n. U C (特定时期和地区的)社会文明] 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 [n. U 文明社会，文明国家] all the people in the world and the societies they live in, considered as a whole Environmental damage threatens the whole of civilization. [n. U 人类社会] (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!