Words / B1

siv-uh-ly-ZAYSHUN/ˌsɪvəlaɪˈzeɪʃn/

Civilisation is a complex society with cities, laws, and culture (UK -isation): ancient civilisations; Western civilisation. Civilization is US. Culture is narrower or everyday; society is wider. The word can sound loaded in essays — define what you mean. Do not use it to insult a group as “uncivilised” in academic work.

Meaning

A society with its own culture, laws, and technology; also developed city life (UK spelling).

Examples

• “The museum exhibition is on ancient river-valley civilisations.”
• “The module compared two river-valley civilisations through their legal codes.”
• “Museums now question older stories of civilisation versus “wilderness”, which is a debate point.”

Good to know

UK: civilisation. US: civilization. Countable: a civilisation. Everyday: culture / society. Avoid as an insult.

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