CEFR B2

western civilization

noun phrase

Meaning

The cultural, political, and intellectual heritage that developed in Europe and spread globally, encompassing traditions from ancient Greece and Rome, Christianity, the Enlightenment, and modern democratic and scientific thought. It is often used to contrast with Eastern or other civilizations.

Examples

The course surveys the major intellectual movements that shaped western civilization from antiquity to the present.
Many historians argue that the concept of individual rights is a cornerstone of western civilization.

Synonyms: the West, Western world, Occident, European civilization

Learn English that separates you from the crowd with Anaversity: private classes, Ani practice, Campus tools, and a public English-learning community.

western civilization (B2)

noun phrase

Pronunciation: /ˈwɛstərn ˌsɪvɪlaɪˈzeɪʃən/

Definition

Examples

The course surveys the major intellectual movements that shaped western civilization from antiquity to the present.
Many historians argue that the concept of individual rights is a cornerstone of western civilization.
Debates about the legacy of western civilization often focus on its colonial history and global influence.

How to Use western civilization

the history of western civilization (collocation): the study of Western history — "The book covers the history of western civilization from ancient Greece to the modern era."
the decline of western civilization (collocation): the idea that Western culture is deteriorating — "Some commentators lament the decline of western civilization."
western civilization course (collocation): a university course on Western history — "I have to write a paper for my western civilization course."

Synonyms of western civilization

Words with a similar meaning to western civilization:

Antonyms of western civilization

Words with the opposite meaning to western civilization:

Browse the full Anaversity dictionary