The Collaborative International Dictionary of English v.0.48:

Civilization \Civ`i*li*za"tion\, n. [Cf. F. civilisation.]
   1. The act of civilizing, or the state of being civilized;
      national culture; refinement.
      [1913 Webster]

            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
      [1913 Webster]

   2. (Law) Rendering a criminal process civil. [Obs.]
      [1913 Webster]

WordNet (r) 3.0 (2006):

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: civilization,
         civilisation]
    2: the social process whereby societies achieve an advanced
       stage of development and organization [syn: civilization,
       civilisation]
    3: a particular society at a particular time and place; "early
       Mayan civilization" [syn: culture, civilization,
       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,
       civilization, civilisation]