English pronunciation · Words Starting with C
Civilization Pronunciation
Civilization is pronounced si-vuh-li-ZAY-shuhn, IPA /ˌsɪvəlɪˈzeɪʃən/.
si-vuh-li-ZAY-shuhn
US /ˌsɪvəlɪˈzeɪʃən/
Syllables: si · vuh · li · ZAY · shuhn (5 syllables, stress on syllable 4)
noun: An advanced and organised human society, or the general state of being organised in that way.
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Civilization in a Sentence
- The Minoan civilization left little writing behind.
- After two days in the forest we were glad to see civilization.
- Trade carried the ideas of one civilization into another.
Common Mispronunciations of Civilization
Not si-VI-luh-zay-shuhn
Pin the loudest beat to ZAY, the fourth of five. Keeping the stress where civil has it leaves the ending far too quiet.
Not si-vuh-li-ZAY-see-uhn
Collapse the last four letters into one shuhn and stop there, since nothing follows the n.
Tip: British spelling uses an s, civilisation, and the sound does not change at all.
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