# western civilization

**Pronunciation:** /ˈwɛstərn ˌsɪvɪlaɪˈzeɪʃən/ · WES-tern siv-uh-luh-ZAY-shun

**CEFR level:** B2

**Part of speech:** 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.
- Debates about the legacy of western civilization often focus on its colonial history and global influence.

## Synonyms

- the West — Geopolitical term often used interchangeably, but can be more political.
- Western world — More geographical, referring to Europe and the Americas.
- Occident — Formal or literary term for the West.
- European civilization — Narrower, focusing on Europe rather than its global extensions.

## Antonyms

- Eastern civilization — Broad contrast, often referring to Asian cultures.
- the Orient — Outdated term for the East, now considered Eurocentric.

## Common patterns

- the history of western civilization — 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 — the idea that Western culture is deteriorating — Some commentators lament the decline of western civilization.
- western civilization course — a university course on Western history — I have to write a paper for my western civilization course.

## Collocations

- the rise of western civilization — The documentary explores the rise of western civilization.
- western civilization and its discontents — The lecture was titled 'Western Civilization and Its Discontents'.

Canonical URL: https://anaversity.com/dictionary/english/western%20civilization

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