origin of civilization

noun phrase

UK /ˈɒrɪdʒɪn əv ˌsɪvəlaɪˈzeɪʃən/

US /ˈɔːrɪdʒɪn əv ˌsɪvələˈzeɪʃən/

The place and time when people first started living together in towns.

Historians study the origin of civilization in the fertile river valleys.

SYNONYMS

birth of society dawn of civilization beginning of settled life rise of civilization

RELATED WORDS

agriculture city-state Mesopotamia urbanization writing

OTHER MEANINGS

2. The earliest known development of complex human societies.

The origin of civilization is often linked to the invention of farming.

3. The starting point of a particular culture or nation.

They traced the origin of civilization in their region to ancient times.

4. The historical process by which humans moved from nomadic life to settled communities.

The origin of civilization marked a major turning point in human history.