Source : Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary (1913)

Civilization \Civ`i*li*za"tion\, n. [Cf. F. civilisation.]
   1. The act of civilizing, or the state of being civilized;
      national culture; refinement.

            Our manners, our civilization, and all the good
            things connected with manners, and with
            civilization, have, in this European world of ours,
            depended for ages upon two principles -- . . . the
            spirit of a gentleman, and spirit of religion.
                                                  --Burke

   2. (Law) Rendering a criminal process civil. [Obs.]

Source : WordNet®

civilization
     n 1: 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" [syn: {civilisation}]
     2: the social process whereby societies achieve civilization
        [syn: {civilisation}]
     3: a particular society at a particular time and place; "early
        Mayan civilization" [syn: {culture}, {civilisation}]
     4: the quality of excellence in thought and manners and taste;
        "a man of intellectual refinement"; "he is remembered for
        his generosity and civilization" [syn: {refinement}, {civilisation}]