ˌsɪv.ɪ.lɪˈzeɪ.ʃən ˌsɪv.ɪ.laɪˈzeɪ.ʃən ˌsɪv.ɪ.laɪˈzeɪ.ʃən ˌsɪv.ə.ləˈzeɪ.ʃən ˈkʌlt͡ʃɚ ˈkʌlt͡ʃə ɹəˈfaɪnmənt the quality of excellence in thought and manners and taste a man of intellectual refinement he is remembered for his generosity and civilization a society in an advanced state of social development (e.g., with complex legal and political and religious organizations) the people slowly progressed from barbarism to civilization a particular society at a particular time and place early Mayan civilization the social process whereby societies achieve an advanced stage of development and organization